There are four endoscopy rooms providing diagnostic and
interventional endoscopy which includes; Gastroscopy, Flexible
Sigmoidoscopy, Colonoscopy, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio
Pancreatography (ERCP), Spyglass Cholangioscopy, Bronchoscopy,
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) insertion and Endoscopic
Ultrasound (EUS). The unit is open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm
(Note; those who require the bookings team please call between 9am
and 5pm)
We serve patients both from the local area and across the
country with a variety of urgent and routine procedures, as well as
a 24 hour emergency service.
Lower gastrointestinal
We provide a complete diagnostic service for lower
gastrointestinal disease. This comprises of investigation into the
large bowel (Colon) via Colonoscopy or a shorter test called
Flexi-Sigmoidoscopy.
We also have a full interventional service to include
polypectomy, stricture dilatation and endoscopic mucosal resection.
There is unique expertise within this region providing endoscopic
ultrasound of large rectal polyps and early cancers. We also
provide a service to place stents into obstructing colorectal
cancers.
Upper gastro-intestinal and hepato-biliary
endoscopy
We provide a diagnostic service in upper gastrointestinal (GI)
endoscopy which comprises of investigation into the disorders of
the oesophagus (gullet), stomach and duodenum (small bowel) this is
done with a test called a Gastroscopy.
We are also able to undertake a selection of therapeutic
procedures including polypectomy, dilatation, treatment of
achalasia, stent insertion, endoscopic ultrasound, ERCP
We were one of the first centres in the UK to employ endoscopic
ultrasound and now use this for the staging of oesophago-gastric
and pancreatic malignancy. In addition, endoscopic ultrasound is
helpful in the diagnosis (and occasional treatment) of complicated
benign pancreatic and biliary pathology.
Respiratory
Queen's Day Unit also offers bronchoscopies. This is a test by
which a doctor can look directly at the trachea (windpipe) and the
bronchi (breathing tubes). This will reveal a clear view of the
different areas of your lungs. It allows for samples of tissue to
be taken painlessly for tests.
The Bowel Cancer Screening Programme
We are a team of 15 core staff members, with
numerous supportive team members, who are responsible for the
national Bowel Cancer Screening investigations, covering the
Bristol and Weston areas. The aim of the programme is to identify
and remove pre-cancerous polyps in the Large Bowel before, or
detect cancer at an early, pre-symptomatic stage.
The programme is made up of x2 programmes.
- Bowel Scope-All patients within our demographic area, are
offered a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy at the age of 55 at one of our
available sites. These include South Bristol Community Hospital,
Weston General Hospital, Southmead Hospital and Prime Endoscopy
Central Bristol.
- Bowel Screening- All patients at the age of 60 are sent a stool
test kit through the post. If this test is positive, they will be
invited to an assessment of suitability for a colonoscopy or CT
Colon scan. These investigations are available at the Bristol Royal
Infirmary or Southmead Hospital. Test kits are subsequently sent
every 2 years, until their 75th birthday, at which point
they may opt back into the programme if they wish to continue.
If any diagnosis or treatment is identified we will
continue to monitor and support these patients as
required.
