A JAG accredited endoscopy unit providing routine and complex gastrointestinal diagnostics and therapy

St Olaf House , 27 Tooley Street , London,  SE1 2PR

London Bridge Hospital’s Endoscopy Department supports the delivery of complex gastrointestinal (GI) and respiratory medicine. Its role is vital in the ability to accurately diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases from oesophageal cancer to acid reflux, and from bowel cancer to Barrett’s Oesophagus. 


Here our eminent consultant gastroenterologists and GI surgeons provide rapid access to the full range of diagnostics and procedures using the very latest technology. These are carried out in our JAG accredited endoscopy unit. This accreditation is awarded to high quality endoscopy units due to the breadth of capability, patient experience, staff expertise, and volumes of procedures with appropriate levels of disease diagnoses. 

Following a bout of acid reflux I was referred for an endoscopy. My consultant, Mr James Gossage, performed my gastroscopy and was able to reassure me all was well, there and then. I chose not to be sedated, so I was able to leave within an hour and head to work. The London Bridge Hospital endoscopy unit team and nurses couldn’t have put me more at my ease.

Samantha Boyce, Patient

A comprehensive, consultant-led service

The Endoscopy Department sits within our Day Surgery Unit at St Olaf House. The team carry out a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy procedures. Our facilities include the latest advances in endoscopic equipment to support the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon. 


Our Consultants, supported by the Day Surgery team, carry out investigations of symptoms including abdominal bloating and pain, change of bowel habit, constipation, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, indigestion, rectal pain and bleeding.


London Bridge Hospital was the first private hospital in the UK to offer Endobronchial Ultrasound Service (EBUS). We were also the first hospital in the UK to use Cellvizio technology for exclusively clinical purposes. Continuing this theme patients have access to the following investigations and therapies.

Our diagnostic tests

  • Colorectal icon plus

    Colonoscopy
    A Colonoscopy is performed to examine the large bowel and is normally carried out with a small amount of analgesia and sedation (midazolam). It allows the physician to examine the lining of the rectum and by gradually advancing it through the colon, the physician can diagnose colon and rectal problems, perform biopsies and remove polyps.

    Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
    A Flexible Sigmoidoscopy is a test that is used to examine inside your rectum and the left side of the large bowel. Polyps may be removed and your Consultant may also take a biopsy during the test, which is effective in detecting bowel cancer.

    Imaging Service - Virtual Colonoscopy
    The Endoscopy Unit works with the hospital’s imaging department to offer a virtual colonoscopy, using a CT scanner to look for signs of pre-cancerous growths and other diseases in the large intestine. Images are shown as a three-dimensional view of inside the large intestine.

  • Gastroenterology icon plus

    Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ECRP) 
    An ERCP is performed to examine the hepato-biliary system, providing endoscopic access to investigate the liver, gall bladder and bile ducts. The most common reasons to carry out an ECRP are jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) or abnormal liver blood tests, especially if a patient has pain in the abdomen, or if a CT or ultrasound scan shows a blockage of the bile or pancreatic ducts. Blockages can be caused by stones, narrowing of the bile ducts (strictures) and growths or cancers of the pancreatic and bile ducts. During an ERCP, stents (small plastic or metal tubes) can be inserted into the bile ducts, to allow drainage of bile into the intestine.


    Gastroscopy
    An Oesophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy (OGD) is a test that is used to examine the gullet, stomach and duodenum. This is the most common test performed in the Endoscopy unit and performed for a variety of reasons e.g. haematemesis (blood present in vomit), anaemia (low red blood cell count) and dyspepsia (indigestion / reflux). This procedure can be performed with a minimal dose of sedation (midazolam) or with a local anaesthetic spray to the back of the throat.


    Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
    An EUS combines an endoscopy and ultrasound in order to obtain images and information about the digestive tract and surrounding tissue and organs. The ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the structures inside the body including the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. Samples of the surrounding tissues can be obtained for further testing.


    Enteroscopy
    An Enteroscopy examines the small intestine (small bowel) with an endoscope, to help recognise diseases of the small intestine.


    Bravo pH Study
    A tiny pH sensor located in a capsule (Bravo pH capsule: 25mm x 6mm x 5.5 mm) is pinned temporarily to the wall of the gullet at the time of the Endoscopy, which monitors the back flow of gastric acid in the gullet. The capsule transmits data using radio signals to a receiver, which is worn around the waist. The patient will be asked to complete a diary of symptoms and meals/drinks during the 96-hour pH recording. After 48 hours the receiver will stop recording and the pH data stored in the receiver is downloaded onto a computer for data analysis and is returned to the patient for a further 48 hours.


  • Oesophageal Manometry icon plus

    Oesophageal pressure and pH (acid) monitoring

    An Oesophageal Manometry measures the pressure activity within the oesophagus. The results determine how well the oesophagus is working and whether contractions are co-ordinated. Ph (acid) monitoring measures the amount of acid refluxing into the oesophagus from the stomach. The monitoring establishes whether oesophageal symptoms are due to acid reflux.


    24 Hour pH and Impedance test

    24 hour pH + impedance test measures the amount of acid or non-acid that refluxes (back flow of stomach contents) from the stomach into the gullet (oesophagus) and will help to find out if the patients’ symptoms are caused by acid or non-acid reflux.

  • Capsule endoscopy icon plus

    Wireless Capsule Endoscopy

    A Wireless Capsule Endoscopy involves swallowing a capsule the size of a large pill, which wirelessly transmits images of the inside of a patient’s stomach and digestive tract. The capsule leaves the patient’s body naturally once they go to the toilet and pass stools. A wireless capsule endoscopy can often be used to help diagnose cases where patients are experiencing internal bleeding in the small bowel, where an endoscope cannot reach and there is no obvious cause.

  • Pelvic assessment icon plus

    Anorectal Physiology/ Pelvic Floor Assessment Clinic

    London Bridge Hospital was the first private hospital to offer Anorectal Physiology tests, which are commonly performed for patients with incontinence, prolapsed and obstructed defaecation syndrome. The standard tests show the function and structure of the anal canal and lower rectum.

  • Respiratory icon plus

    Endobronchial Ultrasound Service (EBUS)

    London Bridge Hospital were the first private hospital in the UK to offer EBUS to patients. An EBUS combines an endoscopy with an ultrasound and bronchoscopy to visualise the airway of the lungs and structures adjacent to it. Fine needle aspiration of adjacent tissue can be taken for investigation at time of procedure.


    Bronchoscopy

    A Bronchoscopy can help diagnose and treat some conditions of the airways of the lungs. A fibre-optic bronchoscope is usually used, which is a thin, flexible telescope. The bronchoscope is passed through the nose or mouth and down the back of the throat, into the windpipe and into the airways. The fibre-optic allows light to shine around the bends in the bronchoscope, allowing the physician to see clearly inside the airways.

  • Cellvizio icon plus

    Cellvizio is used during endoscopy to examine tissue at cellular level. It is a probe-based microscope, providing real-time characterisation of tissue, leading to improved and more accurate detection of diseased tissue. London Bridge Hospital is the first hospital in the UK to provide endoscopies with Cellvizio technology, exclusively for clinical purposes.

The multidisciplinary team attached to our Endoscopy Department

We are incredibly proud to work closely with world-renowned endoscopy consultants, many of whom were trained at London’s leading NHS teaching hospitals. Our multidisciplinary teams of physicians, surgeons, radiologists, gastroenterologists and Clinical Nurse Specialists come together to share their expertise, meeting to discuss each patient’s case on an individual basis, and working hard to deliver comprehensive and complex care to patients both from the UK and overseas.

Contact London Bridge Hospital

For patient appointments and enquiries email us or call:  

020 7234 2009
Email us
back to top