Patient information

Gastro

Find out what to expect at your endoscopy appointment.

As we continue to move out of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have removed many of our remaining Covid-19 measures in line with national NHS guidance. Please check our latest measures before coming to hospital.

With Endoscopy services now open again, it's really important that patients who've been scheduled for an endoscopy attend their appointment. Please watch this video for information about what to expect when you attend your endoscopy and what we're doing to make your attendance as safe and comfortable as possible.

Before your appointment

You will receive a letter and a leaflet about your procedure asking you to contact us to arrange your endoscopy appointment. Once you have booked your appointment with us, you will receive a confirmation letter. This will contain information such as date and time of appointment, location of the endoscopy unit and contact details.

If you need to cancel or rearrange your appointment, please let us know at least three working days in advance, so that this slot can be offered to another patient on the waiting list. Please contact our booking centre directly.

If you do not attend your appointment and do not let us know beforehand you will risk being discharged and may have to be re-referred. If you reschedule your appointment more than twice, you will be discharged back to your referrer.

During your appointment

When you arrive at the endoscopy unit, please go to the main endoscopy reception desk and let the receptionist know that you have arrived. You will be asked to take a seat in the waiting room for a short while.

A nurse will collect you and go through a pre-assessment check – this is an opportunity for you to ask any questions and talk through any worries, fears or concerns that you have. You will be asked to sign a consent form if you are happy to proceed.

A doctor will join you in the pre-assessment room – this is a second opportunity to ask any questions and talk through any worries, fears or concerns that you have. Sedation options are discussed and agreed with you.

Depending on the type of procedure you have been referred for, you will be asked to change into a gown and dignity shorts.

You will then walk down to the endoscopy procedure room with your nurse and/or doctor.

Once the procedure has been undertaken you will be escorted to a recovery bay.

Once you have recovered from the procedure, the team will explain the findings and you can discuss any worries, fears or concerns. You will be given a copy of your procedure report and any relevant information leaflets.