Endoscopy

The endoscopy department offers a complete range of high-quality diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic services.

Endoscopy is the term that is used to describe the direct visual examination of any part of the inside of the body that can be reached through a natural orifice. This can be through:

• the mouth into the stomach (a gastroscopy),
• through the anus into the large bowel (a colonoscopy) or
• through the nose into the lungs (a bronchoscopy).
• Another examination that is performed by the endoscopy staff is ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography), which is a test to examine the tubes that drain bile from your liver and digestive juices from your pancreas.

Information about your appointment

Your appointment begins with our staff going through several safety checks with you before your procedure:

• One of our nurses will check your personal details and check your blood pressure, pulse, oxygen levels. The nurse will also take your consent before the procedure.
• Depending on which procedure you're booked to have, one of our team may insert an intravenous cannula (a thin tube) into your vein so we can give you medication and you may be asked to change into a gown.
• Our team will then help you to the endoscopy theatre for your procedure.
• The length of time you'll spend in theatre will depend on the findings and complexity of your procedure.
• After the procedure, you will be moved in the recovery area and will be cared for by our team of nurses.
• Once you have recovered, you will be discharged by either an endoscopy nurse or the endoscopist who performed your procedure, with an explanation of the procedure and findings. If you have had sedation you will be discharged to the care of your relative or friend. 

How to find us

Endoscopy is located on level 3 of the Addenbrooke's Treatment Centre (ATC). From the main hospital entrance: To access the Atrium and the ATC reception desk, staff and patients should continue down the 'clown' corridor on level 2, walk past the Rosie turning and into the Atrium.

The passenger lifts are situated across the Atrium on the right hand side, opposite the PALS office. Located off the Atrium are two sets of stair wells; one is located through the set of double doors adjacent to the passenger lifts, the other is situated on the other side of the Atrium opposite the payphones. Take the stairs or lift to level 3.

The Endoscopy reception desk is located in the hall outside of the lifts. From the Treatment Centre car park: Enter the Treatment Centre through the main entrance which is directly across the road (Keith Day Way) from the car park.