Gastroenterology

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and other functional gut disorders

Patients with a functional gut disorder are managed by the Consultant Gastroenterologist, who may refer the patient on for further support and treatment if required. The supporting team consists of a IBS Nurse Specialist, Specialist Dieticians, Clinical Health Psychologists and a Clinical Psychologist.

We provide an individual and holistic service depending on the needs of the patient including:-

Full assessment and investigations as required
Medication advice
Self help and lifestyle advice
Nutrition and dietary assessment and treatment
Gut Directed Hypnotherapy
Psychological Assessment and treatment including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

This service is available at York referral via a Consultant Gastroenterologist

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Team at York Hospital provide a comprehensive range of general and specialist IBD clinical services to the population of York and surrounding area for patients with a diagnosis of IBD. This involves in-patient hospital care and out-patient clinics at York Hospital delivered by Consultants and Specialist Nurses.

Endoscopy

Endoscopy - a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy service is available, including ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography) and is accessed either by direct referral to Consultant Physicians, Consultant Surgeons or via the open access endoscopy scheme.

Endoscopy is undertaken in a dedicated three room endoscopy suite at York Hospital and ERCP in the vascular imaging unit. The Endoscopy Unit is recognised by JAG (Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy) for training purposes and participates in the global rating score (GRS).

Imaging

Imaging facilities include, access to MRI and MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography), ERCP, ultrasound guided biopsy, CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy), small bowel imaging, radiologically guided biopsy and stent placement. Weekly meetings are held between Surgeons, Radiologists and Physicians.

Palliative stenting

Palliative stenting for both oesophageal and rectal carcinomas is available in York and currently separate MDTs exist for upper GI cancer patients, pancreato biliary cancer and colorectal cancer. These are supported by Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Coeliac disease

Patients with Coeliac Disease are jointly managed by Consultant Gastroenterologists and Specialist Gastroenterology Dietitians, with a scheduled programme of review. This includes patients transitioning from paediatric services to adult service

Find further information about Coeliac disease here.

Liver services

Liver services are provided by Consultant Physicians and supported by an inpatient Substance Abuse Clinical Nurse Specialist for patients with alcoholic liver disease. The Gastroenterologists work closely with their colleagues on the Liver Unit in Leeds for patients requiring transplantation.

A full range of diagnostic services for patients with Liver disease including biopsy (inpatient and outpatient) and imaging, including MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), is available at York. Patients requiring antiviral treatment for Hepatitis B and C are referred to the Regional Unit in Leeds at present, when treatment is initiated.

Useful websites

The Gastroenterology service provides for diagnosis and management of all gastroenterological conditions including; Hepatology and functional GI (gastrointestinal) disorders.