The latest in our series of public webinars takes place on 12 November at 2pm, when we turn the spotlight on endoscopy services available to self-pay patients.
Hear Gastroenterology Consultant, Dr Laurence Maiden talk about endoscopy and how the procedure can help diagnose a wide range of medical issues.
Following Laurence Maiden’s presentation there will be an opportunity to ask questions about the procedure.
The series of webinars is proving popular. They aim to de-mystify and educate patients on our treatments and services. The format we’ve adopted sees our Consultant present on their specific treatment area followed by a question and answer session.
So, what does the term endoscopy mean….?
The term covers the method by which a Consultant and their team look inside your body, using an instrument called an endoscope, which can be inserted through your mouth and down the throat –or via your bottom. This helps the Consultant achieve a diagnosis of your problem.
If your symptoms relate to the oesophagus, stomach, or the top part of your small intestine and one of these needs to be checked out, you’ll be given a gastroscopy; and if the problem you have is related to your bowel, then it’s a colonoscopy you’ll need.
Here are just some of the symptoms for which your GP may recommend you undergo an endoscopy procedure:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pains in your stomach that don’t go away, or keep coming back
- Having diarrhoea, or feeling and being sick often
- When you have unintentional weight loss or you’re losing weight without trying to
- If you often have heartburn or indigestion
- If there is blood in your stool
Benenden Hospital is the only private hospital in Kent and Sussex whose gastrointestinal endoscopy services carry accreditation from the Royal College of Physicians.
The endoscopy unit at our hospital has been awarded a Joint Advisory Group (JAG) accreditation for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy by the Royal College of Physicians. The accreditation is awarded to endoscopy units able to meet a stringent set of standards relating to high quality patient care, demonstrating a safe, patient-centred, and efficient service.
Patients coming to Benenden Hospital for endoscopy procedures can be confident hospital is committed to those high standards in clinical practice and measures up to exacting national standards.
Claire Harley is Director of Patient Services at Benenden Hospital:
“It’s immensely satisfying that our high standards are recognised by the RCP and we work hard every day to ensure those standards continue to be met and wherever possible, bettered.”
The hospital was assessed for its accreditation by a Lead Consultant Gastroenterologist, a Nurse Endoscopist and a lay assessor.
The subsequent report said that the hospital’s purpose-built Ambulatory Care Unit provided a state-of-the-art facility with modern surroundings and the latest technology, including a well-executed decontamination service with organised and efficient processes.
Published on 09 November 2020