What is an Endoscopy?
Endoscopy is a general term that refers to any medical procedure used to inspect the interior of the body (typically the digestive tract) using a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope. Common types include gastroscopy, colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. Your appointment letter will indicate which procedure you are having, and you will be provided with an information leaflet explain about the test and how to prepare for it.
If you are attending for a colonoscopy, you will need to attend a bowel preparation clinic appointment several days before your test where a nurse will check your medical history, provide you with the bowel cleansing solution and explain how and when to take it.
Visiting us for a procedure
If you are being admitted as a day case, you will be sent detailed information through the post about your procedure and how to prepare for it. It is very important that you follow the instructions given. Should you have any questions, or are unsure in any way, please contact us and a member of staff will be able to assist you.
On the day of your appointment, always remember to bring the details of any tablets or medications that you are taking.
Please report to the reception desk on the Endoscopy Unit on arrival to the hospital where you will be checked into the department and directed to the waiting area. A nurse will collect your necessary details and prepare you for your test. Everything will be explained and you may ask any questions you have. You will be asked to sign a consent form to show that you understand the benefits, risks and alternatives of your procedure and that you agree to go ahead with it.
For some procedures, you may be asked to change into a gown. You might like to have a pair of slippers and a dressing gown with you. Please do not bring valuable items with you. The Trust will not accept responsibility for your belongings during your admission.
The Endoscopy Unit strives to ensure your privacy and dignity is maintained at all times and we have the following systems and resources in place.
- Single sex waiting and recovery areas.
- Private bowel preparation rooms with ensuite toilet facilities and door curtain screens.
- Provision of theatre gown, dressing gowns, and disposable privacy pants.
Your procedure will be carried out by a suitably trained member of staff – either a doctor or specialist nurse – who is involved in performing these procedures on a regular basis.
Following your procedure, you may be offered refreshments depending on the aftercare of your specific test.
We will discuss the results of your test and provide written and verbal aftercare and follow-up information. As a general rule, we will ask you to see your GP for any recommended medication. Urgent medication will be provided by the pharmacy department before you go home. You will be required to pay for this unless exempt.
Our Team
Staff on the unit you may meet are:
- Doctors and Specialist Nurses
- Unit Manager
- Sister/Charge Nurse
- Staff Nurses
- Registered Nursing Associates
- Healthcare Support Workers
- Porter
- Housekeepers
Patient information
We perform a range of endoscopic procedures for both inpatients and outpatients.
Outpatients will be sent a leaflet containing essential information about their test. We will also provide additional written and verbal discharge advice after your procedure. If we make a diagnosis, we will give written information on relevant medical conditions.
Feedback
We are continuously striving to improve our services. Your views are very important to us. Should you have any feedback, comments or suggestions, please complete our online patient survey or contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service.
Please help us improve our service by completing a patient survey for the hospital site that you visited:
Interpreter Services
If English is not your first language and you require clarification of the instructions you have been sent, or require an interpreter, please contact us on the number provided on your appointment letter.
Referral Information
Referrals for endoscopy are received from GPs, hospital consultants, specialist nursing teams, and straight to test clinics. We see inpatients, outpatients and emergency cases.
Discharge Information
If you have had sedation (Midazolam and/or Fentanyl):
You may feel normal after your test. However, the drug that you have been given can make you forgetful and impair your judgement. The full effects of this may take up to 24 hours to wear off. You should therefore have someone to take you home and look after you for this length of time.
For 24 hours you should NOT:
- Drive (you will not be covered by your insurance)
- Operate any machinery or electrical items such as kitchen appliances
- Drink alcohol, take recreational drugs, sedative drugs or sleeping tablets
- Sign any legally binding documents or make life changing decisions
- Return to work
- Be responsible for anyone else including children or elderly relatives
Following your test it is normal that:
- You may feel some cramping and bloating of the abdomen due to air which has been pumped inside. This should soon subside by belching or passing flatus (wind). If it is particularly troublesome, a drink of peppermint water or a fizzy drink can be helpful.
- You may have a mildly sore throat following a gastroscopy. This should settle within 24 hours.
- If a biopsy has been taken or a polyp removed during colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, you may pass a small amount of blood. This should clear up within 24 hours. It may take a day or two for your bowels to return to normal.
If you develop any of the following symptoms following your test, you should seek urgent advice:
- Pain in the chest, abdomen, tip of the shoulder or on swallowing.
- Persistent or increasing abdominal swelling.
- A large amount of bleeding, or bleeding that starts after a few days.
- Very dark or black motions.
- Shortness of breath
If you have an urgent problem or have any concerns following your test, please use the following contact details:
- 8am to 5pm Mon to Fri (excluding bank holidays), call the Endoscopy Unit you attended for your procedure.
- Outside these hours, please contact your GP, call 111 for advice, or attend your local walk in centre or Accident and Emergency department.
- In an emergency, call 999 or attend your nearest A&E Department.
Contact Details, Opening Hours and Location of our Endoscopy Units, Bowel Preparation and Pre-Assessment Clinics
Please Note: Your appointment may be carried out at any of the endoscopy sites across Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
Please check your appointment letter to make sure you attend the right unit.
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 7.30pm.
Contact Numbers: Reception 0161 276 4366, Admin 0161 701 8555.
Location: 2nd Floor of Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL.
Directions: Enter the MRI through Entrance 2 (on The Boulevard adjacent to Marks and Spencer) and walk straight through Costa Coffee to the lifts. Take the lift to the 2nd floor. Turn right and go down the ramp. The Endoscopy unit is on the left-hand side, and reception is through the doors on the left.
Download a map of the hospital site.
AccessAble – Accessibility Guide to Manchester Royal Infirmary.
North Manchester General Hospital
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Contact Numbers: 0161 720 2835.
Location: Hospital Entrance 3, North Manchester General Hospital, Delaunays Road, Crumpsall, Manchester, M8 5RB.
Directions: Follow the signs for the Endoscopy Unit.
Download a map of the hospital site.
AccessAble – Accessibility Guide to North Manchester General Hospital.
Trafford General Hospital
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 8am to 7pm.
Contact Numbers: Reception 0161 746 2016, Admin 0161 701 8555.
Location: Hospital Entrance 8 Park Unit, Trafford General Hospital, Moorside Road, Urmston, Manchester, M41 5SL. Please report to reception desk on the right.
Directions: The Trafford Endoscopy Unit is situated in the Park Unit, Entrance 8, at Trafford Hospital. This is located near the car park at the front of the hospital off Moorside Road.
Download a map of the hospital site.
AccessAble – Accessibility Guide to the Park Unit.
Wythenshawe Hospital
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Contact Numbers: Reception 0161 291 4892, Admin 0161 291 4963 / 5971.
Location: Entrance B, Wythenshawe Hospital, Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M23 9LT.
Directions: Yellow zone, Ground Floor, Outpatient Area, within the Treatment & Diagnostic Centre. Follow the signs for the Endoscopy Unit.
Download a map of the hospital site.
AccessAble – Accessibility Guide to Wythenshawe Hospital, Yellow Zone.
Withington Community Hospital (Bowel Preparation Clinic, Pre-assessment and Capsule Endoscopy ONLY)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Contact Numbers: Pre-assessment and Capsule endoscopy nurses: 0161 217 3271 / 07484 911 553.
Location: Main Entrance, Withington Community Hospital, Nell Lane, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2LR.
Directions: Ask at the reception/Information Desk at the main entrance.
AccessAble – Accessibility Guide to Withington Community Hospital entrance.