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Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a procedure that uses a long, thin, flexible, lighted tube called an endoscope, to diagnose or treat a condition within the gastrointestinal tract.

The Endoscopy and Treatment Unit at Macclesfield District General Hospital offers a full range of endoscopy procedures, both upper gastro-intestinal (stomach) and lower gastro-intestinal (bowel). These procedures are also known as a camera test. Our unit is equipped with modern up to date endoscopes in order to provide the highest levels of diagnostic procedures.

We provide you with a full report of your procedure before you leave our unit. This means that you will be fully informed of the outcome of your procedure. We will also let you know if you need to have any further investigations.

What types of procedures do we do?

Gastroscopy: For this procedure a camera is used to look into your stomach, and into the first part of the small bowel
 
Sigmoidoscopy: For this procedure a camera is used to look into the first part of the bowel
 
Colonoscopy: For this procedure a camera is used to look at the whole of the large bowel.

 Bronchoscopy: For this procedure a camera is used to look at the upper part of the lungs

 Cystoscopy: For this procedure a camera is used to look into the bladder

What happens on the day of your procedure?

After a short admission procedure where we will discuss the procedure you are to have, we will ask you some questions about your general health and also check your blood pressure. You will be given the opportunity to decide if you would like to have the procedure with or without sedation. We will inform you of the pros and cons of having sedation or not having sedation, but leave the choice up to you. We can now also offer the use of Entonox (gas and air) instead of sedation for colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. Using Entonox means that you will be able to drive yourself home half an hour after the procedure.

If you are going to have a camera test of your bowel we will ask you to change into a theatre gown.

You will then be taken to have the procedure and once completed you will return to our recovery ward, where you recovery will be monitored by nurses. Once you have recovered we will offer you a cup of tea before discussing your procedure report with you.

Who will be doing my procedure?

All the staff who carry out the procedures have being specially trained in endoscopy. While most are qualified doctors we do have two nurse endoscopists who are specialised in doing endoscopy procedures. The training of all the doctors and nurses is carried out according to national standards, and no-one is allowed to do a procedure unsupervised unless they have completed our comprehensive training programme.

How long will my procedure take?

While the procedures are fairly short (up to an hour for colonoscopy) we always advise that you may be with us for up to four hours. In most cases this will be a lot shorter.

How will I be after the procedure?

Once you have recovered sufficiently you will be allowed to go home. If you have had sedation we strongly advise that you have someone stay with you overnight, as the effects of the sedation can last for up to 24 hours.

Can I alter my appointment?

You are able to change the date and time of your appointment on two occasions, any further cancellations may mean that we cannot offer you a further appointment.

How will I definitely know I am coming into hospital for my procedure?

You will receive a letter from us with all the details about your procedure, as well as all the information you need to prepare for the procedure.

Please take the time to read the whole letter once you recieve it as it will contain the information you will need to prepare for that day. 

Where is the Endoscopy and Treatment Unit?

Our unit can be found on the first floor of the main Macclesfield District General Hospital, opposite wards three and four.

We are open from 8.00am Monday to Friday, and usually close around 6.30pm. 
 
Please note there is limited space within the unit’s waiting area and relatives will be asked to return at a specific time in order to give priority seating to our patients. If relatives or carers wish to go home we will telephone to inform them that you are ready to be collected. If your relatives or carers wish to remain within the hospital we have a pager system to inform them that you can be collected.

Contact information

For appointment enquiries: 01625 663726

Enquiries regarding procedures: 01625 661044