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Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Digestive health
Conditions we treat
Our leading gastroenterology specialists are here to help alleviate or eliminate digestive health symptoms that impact your life. We can accurately diagnose your gut condition and get you on to the best management or treatment pathway, so you can get back to doing the things you love.
Expert help with a whole range of routine and complex conditions
Our dedicated team of gastroenterologists and private colorectal consultants is here for you. We offer specialist and advanced digestive health diagnostics, plus advice and support you can trust. Because our multi-disciplinary teams work together with dietitians and physiotherapists, you’ll benefit from a highly integrated approach, providing you with a fast and accurate diagnosis. For personalised, end-to-end care pathways and tailored treatment in comfortable, private surroundings, just get in touch.
Yes, we can. Our private gastroenterology (GI) specialists are expert at understanding what’s causing problems with your digestive health and working out how to alleviate or eliminate difficult symptoms. We offer a whole range of state-of-the-art diagnostic tests and screenings to help get to the root cause of your problems, and we’ll devise an effective treatment pathway for you.
It can often be difficult to live with a digestive health problem, and we’re here to help you get back to optimal health. You should consider seeing a gastroenterologist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Dyspepsia
- Dysphagia
- Faecal incontinence
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rectal bleeding
- Regurgitation
- Weight loss
You can trust us to help, with personalised treatments and support that put you first. X% of our digestive health patients say they’d recommend us to family and friends.
You don’t always need a referral to see a specialist. You can book a private appointment with us directly if you’d like a faster diagnosis or peace of mind without the wait.
However, if you're using health insurance, most insurers will ask for a referral letter from either an NHS or private GP before authorising treatment.
If you're unsure whether you need a referral, feel free to get in touch. Our team can advise you and will be happy to help.
All our digestive health consultants will be able to help with an initial investigation and diagnosis, so it makes sense to simply choose a specialist who works in a hospital near you. If you’d like to talk through your options just give us a call. Our friendly team will be happy to help.
Upper digestive problems
Your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract includes your mouth, oesophagus, stomach and small intestine and our expert gastroenterologists are experienced in treating problems that affect any part of it.
Conditions that we treat include:
Achalasia
Achalasia is a rare muscle disorder in the oesophagus, making it difficult to swallow food and drink.
Barrett's oesophagus
Irritated gullet (food pipe). If you're experiencing heartburn and indigestion as a result of Barrett's oesophagus, we can treat it.
Gallstones
Gallstones are small stones in the gallbladder which can block a duct inside it, causing a sudden, sharp abdominal pain
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
Prolonged and persistant acid reflux. If your heartburn isn't going away, you may have GORD -our specialists can help diagnose and treat this gastric condition.
Inguinal hernia
From complex surgery to straightforward procedures, we provide exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs)
NETs are rare cancerous tumours that develop in cells from the neuroendocrine system. If you're diagnosed with a NET, we can provide you with instant access to expert clinicians and world-class hospitals
Soft tissue sarcoma
From complex cancer surgery to investigations, diagnostic tests and procedures, we provide exceptional cancer care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Surgery for stomach cancer and GISTs
SURGERY FOR CANCER AND TUMOURS IN THE STOMACH
HCA UK experts are here to make sure you get the right treatment for stomach cancer based on your individual needs.
Umbilical hernia
HERNIA (LUMP) NEAR YOUR BELLY BUTTON
If you have an umbilical hernia, our experts at HCA UK have the experience and expertise to treat it
Bowel issues
If you have issues with your lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, they’ll affect the area that includes your large bowel (colon) and your anus.
Conditions that we treat include:
Abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR)
RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY TO FIX WEAKNESSES IN THE ABDOMEN
If previous surgery resulted in a damaged or infected area, HCA UK advises how abdominal wall reconstruction can help
Bowel cancer
If you have a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of bowel cancer, at HCA Healthcare UK you will receive exceptional care, from the very first moment we meet.
Crohn's disease
A type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn's disease is an inflammation of any part of your digestive tract - we can treat and relieve your symptoms.
Haemorrhoids
Also known as piles, these swellings in or around your anus contain large blood vessels. They can be uncomfortable and itchy and sometimes bleed.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
From complex gastric surgery to diagnostic tests and procedures, we provide exceptional gastric care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Ulcerative colitis
A type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis is an inflammation in the rectum and colon
Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) medicine
Our HPB specialists treats all conditions affecting your liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts.
The specific conditions we treat include:
Acute liver disease
Hepatic disease. Acute liver disease includes conditions like acute hepatitis and acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP)
Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD)
FATTY LIVER DUE TO ALCOHOL INTAKE
Excess alcohol consumption damages your liver, but you may not have any symptoms until the harm to your liver is severe.
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)
Autoimmune liver disease, chronic inflammatory liver disease. Autoimmune hepatitis is when the immune system attacks the liver cells causing inflammation, cirrhosis and liver damage.
Cirrhosis
From complex liver surgery to test and diagnostic procedures, we provide exceptional HPB care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Liver and hepatobiliary cancer
Expert treatment for cancers that can form in your liver, pancreas, gallbladder or bile ducts.
Liver fibrosis
Liver fibrosis is the scarring that occurs from the liver’s response to injury, which over time can lead to cirrhosis.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
From complex hepatic surgery to diagnostic tests and procedures, we provide exceptional hepatobiliary care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Pancreatic tumours
Causes and symptoms of pancreatic tumours. HCA UK experts can explain the symptoms of pancreatic tumours and offer advice on the treatments available.
Pancreatitis
From complex surgery to straightforward procedures, we provide exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Viral hepatitis A, B, C and D
Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus, it is infectious and can cause serious liver damage
Expert care for your child’s gut health
Perhaps your child regularly has tummy trouble that you’d like an expert to check out. Or they may have a more serious gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that needs advanced diagnostics and specialist advice. Either way, our multi-disciplinary team including leading paediatric gastroenterologists, nutritionists and radiologists is here for you and your child.
We care for every part of your child’s digestive system, from their oesophagus and stomach to their small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum, liver, gallbladder and pancreas. From blood and bowel tests and state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging to complex GI procedures, we’ll help to quickly pinpoint what’s causing any symptoms and work with you to ensure that your child gets the right course of treatment for their condition.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Our patient's stories
Georgia's story
At just 20 years old, Georgia was about to fulfil her dream of opening her own beauty salon when persistent symptoms led to an unexpected diagnosis of bowel cancer.
John’s bowel cancer experience
34-year-old John had always been very active. In his professional life he had been a soldier and a firefighter, and in his spare time he was running marathons and completing triathlons. So, when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2008 it came as quite a shock.
Johanna's story
Johanna was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer back in 2016. Five years on from receiving revolutionary cancer surgery at The Christie Private Care, part of HCA Healthcare UK, she is cancer free and feeling better than ever. Here she reflects on her treatment at the hospital and the expert care that helped her get to where she is today.
FAQs
Digestive health conditions affect your gastrointestinal tract including your oesophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas and gallbladder. Our specialist team is here to help, and we offer focused and expert paediatric GI support too.
None of these symptoms are a sure sign that you have a gut problem, but you should consider seeing a gastroenterologist if you experience:
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Dyspepsia
- Dysphagia
- Faecal incontinence
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rectal bleeding
- Regurgitation
- Weight loss
Your gastroenterology specialist will ask about your medical history and the symptoms you’re experiencing, and they’ll also conduct a physical examination. They’ll arrange for you to have various tests that may include blood tests, stool tests and endoscopy tests too.
Together, this will help them to form a clear and accurate diagnosis.
Not necessarily, many digestive conditions can be manged without surgery. Surgery is usually only considered when non-surgical options have not worked. Your consultant will talk to you about your specific condition and recommend the best treatment pathway. Often medication or nutritional support can help to alleviate or eliminate your symptoms.
Yes, we do. Our team includes dieticians who’ll work closely with your GI specialist to provide expert guidance, tailored to your condition. This kind of integrated approach is often a very effective way to treat and manage digestive health issues.
“I’d recommend people listen to their instincts. We know our own bodies, and I knew something was wrong. The pain, the fever, and some vomiting – it just wasn’t right, and at HCA UK they really listened to me.”
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