Endoscopy

What we do

We are a local and regional centre providing inpatients and outpatients with a comprehensive diagnostic and treatment service. We offer a wide range of procedures and investigations, including:

• gastroscopy (OGD)
• oesophageal, biliary and colonic dilatation and stenting
• colonoscopy
• flexible sigmoidoscopy
• endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
• endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• endo-anal manometry
• video-capsule endoscopy
• endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR).
  

Preparing for your appointment

The preparation you need to make for your appointment will depend on the type of procedure you are having.

You may need to fast - not eat or drink anything - for a period of time beforehand, take a bowel cleansing medicine or arrange for an escort to take you home and stay with you overnight.

We will send you full information of any preparation you need to make with your appointment letter or explain it over the telephone if your appointment is made at late notice. It is very important that you follow these intructions so we do not need to cancel your appointment on the day.

Please contact us if you are diabetic or take blood-thinning medication such as warfarin or clopidegrel.

Location

Ground floor, Cheyne Wing, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS

Contact Details

• Main Reception: +44 (0)20 3299 3075
• Endoscopy Nurses Station: +44 (0)20 3299 4079

Patient Information Leaflets

Conditions we treat

We cover all diseases of the digestive tract and bowel. In conjunction with the Liver Unit, we also provide endoscopic procedures for pancreatic and liver problems. Colorectal procedures and investigations of the small bowel are undertaken jointly between gastro and surgical specialities.

We provide a number of services:

• OGD (gastroscopy)
• flexible sigmoidoscopy
• colonoscopy
• capsule endoscopy
• interventional procedures such as oesphageal dilatation and stent insertion, PEG insertion via gastroscopy, endo rectal manometry and banding of haemorrhoids.
  

Other investigations relating to liver and pancreatic problems can be treated with ERCP, endoscopic ultrasound (both diagnostic and interventional) and duodenal stenting.

In addition, we are currently undertaking EMR, which we are hoping to develop further.

What is required before referring a patient

Certain studies should be carried out before patients are seen in the endoscopy department, to enable us to make a quicker diagnosis and reduce the number of visits they have to make to the hospital.

Booking a patient at King's

Routine Referrals

All routine referrals should made to individual specialties, such as gastroenterology, liver or colorectal surgery. On receipt of the referral, the consultant will make an internal referral to endoscopy, if appropriate.

Emergency Referrals

Emergency referrals can be made by fax, by letter or by speaking directly with the SpRs or one of the consultants from the appropriate specialty.

Patients at risk of cancer can be directly referred via the two-week cancer pathway.

Referral Forms

There are no referral forms for this service.

Key Clinical Staff