About your Endoscopy referral and appointment

When your referral to endoscopy is received, the endoscopy administration team add you to the appropriate waiting list, the waiting list you are added to depends on the procedure that has been requested and the reason for the procedure.

All referrals are vetted by our skilled nurses and doctors to check they are accurate and appropriate, and the endoscopy administration team will contact you to make your appointment, or you will book your appointment directly with the endoscopy booking team before you leave the hospital after your clinic appointment.

If you have been directly referred to the endoscopy unit by your general practitioner we will always try and contact you by telephone. This will enable us to agree on an appropriate time and date for your procedure to take place.

If we cannot reach you via telephone we will send you a letter asking you to make contact with us.

If your appointment is not suitable, please contact our admin team on 01246  516002, to rebook at a time that is convenient to you.

You will be contacted by our pre-assessment nurses approximately 7 days prior to your test date. However, not all endoscopic procedures require a pre-assessment call. If you do not receive a telephone call for this, it may be because you do not need it.

Many patients require an appointment with pre-assessment to discuss the specific needs for their procedure.

Before you procedure can go ahead, there are certain pre-requisites that we need to follow to ensure your procedure goes as smoothly as possible. This includes (but not limited to):

• Stopping certain medications 
• Fasting Instructions
• Bowel preparation instructions
• Risks of the procedure are discussed
• Sedation options available for your procedure

We offer a range of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy services and our services are always in high demand.  If circumstances change and you cannot make your agreed appointment, please contact us directly as early as possible so your appointment can be rescheduled, and we can allocate your existing appointment to another patient.

Depending on the procedure you have been referred for this may mean that your procedure is delayed, so please try to make every effort to attend.

If you do not attend (DNA) your appointment without letting us know we will let your doctor know, this may mean that you are discharged from our care. 

What is consent?

• Before you have an endoscopic procedure you will be asked to sign a consent form. This is something we are required to do in law and confirms that you agree to have the procedure and understand what it involves.
• Before giving your consent the person referring you for the procedure will make every effort to explain the risks, benefits and alternatives. There will also be an opportunity for you to ask them any questions you may have regarding the procedure. 
• In addition, you should also receive information leaflets about the planned procedure. If this is an outpatient procedure this should be sent to you in the post with your appointment details or you may be given it if you book whilst in the hospital. If you do not receive the necessary information please contact the endoscopy booking team.
• For patients in hospital information should be provided to you by the ward team. If you have any questions or do not receive information please discuss this with the ward doctors and nurses before you attend for the procedure.
• Please read all the information in the leaflets and on the consent form. If you have no questions or queries you can sign the consent form prior to the test after you have had the opportunity to speak to a nurse or your endoscopist.. 
• In the event of you requiring a very urgent or an emergency procedure, the consent process may be different from the above particularly if you require potentially lifesaving treatment but we will always attempt to keep you informed of your options in advance of a procedure.
• If you, or someone you care for, does not have the capacity to sign the consent form please let the pre-assessment nurses know, as there may be other steps we need to take prior to the procedure. This does not affect you, or the person you care for, rights to have the procedure in any way.

• Your appointment time is not the time for your test, this is the time when the receptionist will confirm your details and give the nurses time to confirm you are medically fit to proceed with the procedure and go through the admission process, etc.
• All patients will have received an appointment letter either after their outpatient appointment or in the post. If you have given us your mobile number you will receive a text reminding you of your appointment a few days prior.
• Please read all sheets that have been given to you as they contain important information
• If you are taking Warfarin, Clopidogrel or any other blood thinning products or any diabetic drugs you must let us know when you have received your appointment.
• If you are taking iron, please contact the department as this has to be stopped several days before certain tests
• If you are taking blood pressure tablets, please discuss with the doctor organising the procedure whether to continue on these. Usually, most tablets will be continued
• If you are having a colonoscopy you will need to take some medication to clear your bowels. This should have been given to you when you received your appointment. Please follow the instructions on the information sheet.
• If attending for a gastroscopy, please do not have anything to eat or drink 4 hours before your appointment time
• If you are having sedation please remember you must have somebody to collect you after your procedure otherwise your procedure may be cancelled.
• Expect to remain in the department for up to 3 hours.