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DIGESTIVE HEALTH
Tests and scans
- Same-day tests available
- All common and advanced diagnostic tests
- Get a fast, accurate diagnosis
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Helping you find fast, expert answers
If you have gut problems that leave you managing worrying and often painful symptoms, our expert team of specialist consultant radiologists and radiographers will work with your digestive health consultant to provide fast, accurate answers. We’ll do our best to carry out your diagnostic tests on the same day as your consultation, and we constantly invest in the most advanced testing technologies so you can benefit from the latest investigations. It all helps us build an accurate picture of your gut health, so we can quickly get you onto the best treatment pathway.
Comprehensive digestive health tests and scans
Endoscopy tests
With HCA UK, you’ll have access to a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy procedures.
Video Capsule Endoscopy
Capsule endoscopy is a procedure where you swallow a pill-sized capsule which slowly passes through your body videoing the inside of your bowel.
Colonoscopy
A bowel examination, an effective way of diagnosing bowel conditions or removing colon polyps.
Double-Balloon Enteroscopy
A technique developed by Hironori Yamamoto in 2001 for visualisations of the entire small bowel in real time
Enteroscopy
An enteroscopy is a procedure to examine the small intestine with an endoscope, to help diagnose digestive problems
ERCP
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. A combined endoscopic and X-ray technique used to diagnose and treat a range of pancreatic and bile duct problems.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
A procedure to look inside your rectum and lower colon with a small camera. This is an endoscopic investigation that's used to help diagnose colorectal and bowel conditions.
Gastroscopy
This procedure is used as an investigation to help find out if there's a problem with the upper part of your digestive system.
Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy Dual Procedure
Oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy. A dual procedure where a flexible tube is used to look inside the oesophagus, stomach, intestines and bowel.
Gastrointestinal laparoscopy
A procedure to investigate any problems you're having with your oesophagus, stomach, biliary system, pancreas or bowel.
Functional tests
We offer state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques including GI physiology tests, helping our specialists to evaluate and treat gut function disorders.
Bravo pH study
A relatively new method for detecting the reflux of acid from your stomach into your food pipe (oesophagus)
Gastric emptying test
A gastric scan that is an important part of the investigation and future management of stomach conditions.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux monitoring
From complex gastric surgery to diagnostic tests, scans and procedures, we provide exceptional gastroenterology care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
24-hour reflux testing
Measures your stomach acid and fluid reflux over 24 hours, using a thin tube placed through your nose down into your oesophagus.
Anorectal manometry tests
Evaluates your anal and rectal muscle function and rectal sensation using a fine tube with a balloon inserted into your rectum.
Gastric acid output test
Measures the amount of stomach acid produced by your stomach to help diagnose conditions such as hypochlorhydria or to check the effectiveness of ulcer medication.
Oesophageal manometry tests
Measures the pressure in your oesophagus and the muscles at the top and bottom of it, using a thin tube with sensors passed through your nose.
Pelvic floor assessment
Evaluates the strength, endurance and coordination of the muscles supporting your bladder, uterus, and bowel.
Hydrogen breath test
A hydrogen breath test is used to detect how the body digests a specific sugar or carbohydrate. It’s used to diagnose Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), and lactose and fructose malabsorption, which can cause gastro-intestinal symptoms experienced with conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Urea breath test (C13 Test)
A quick, safe test that helps to diagnose stomach ulcers and indigestion.
Imaging tests
We’re here to support your diagnostic journey with a wide range of advanced imaging too.
Barium enema exam
X-RAY OF YOUR BOWEL
If you're having problems with your bowel, we can carry out an X-ray to find out what's happening
Barium x-ray
BARIUM SWALLOW TEST
A safe and rapid test that reveals early and subtle changes in both structure and function in all aspects of swallowing
CT scan
Computed tomography (CT) scan is sometimes referred to as a CAT scan and shows detailed 2D and 3D images of your organs, blood vessels and bones.
Digital fluoroscopy
Fluoroscopy is a type of X-ray used to create moving images of internal parts of your body.
Endoanal ultrasound
ULTRASOUND IMAGING OF THE ANAL SPHINCTER COMPLEX
A type of medical investigation which images the structure of the anal canal
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
Internal ultrasound of the abdomen. Endoscopic ultrasounds combine the technology of ultrasound scans and endoscopes to generate detailed images of the oesophagus, bowels, heart, stomach, lungs, pancreas, and the surrounding tissue and blood vessels.
FDG PET scan
A FDG PET scan is one of the more common nuclear medicine scans, used to assess the metabolic activity of certain tumours. It can also be used to stage a disease, or monitor the body during treatment.
Private Image-guided biopsy
From X-rays to MRI and ultrasound scanning, we provide exceptional investigations and diagnostic care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics in London, Birmingham and Manchester.
Liver ultrasound
A liver ultrasound is a safe and quick scan that uses sound waves to produce detailed images of your liver
MRI scan
Our consultant radiologists use some of the most technologically advanced MRI scanners to provide fully bespoke, highly accurate examinations of the inside of your body.
MR pneumocolon
From complex surgery to straightforward procedures, we provide exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Pelvic ultrasound scan
Transvaginal (pelvic) ultrasounds provide a clear, accurate view of your pelvic area, helping specialists diagnose conditions, monitor reproductive health and assess fertility with care, precision and sensitivity for your comfort and peace of mind.
Ultrasound scan
An ultrasound scan is a common scan that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of organs, tissue or blood flow inside the body.
Virtual colonoscopy
A CT colonoscopy - or virtual colonoscopy - is a minimally-invasive way of checking for colon diseases and colon cancer.
Treating both common and complex symptoms
Whatever your symptoms or medical history, we’re here to help. Your specialist digestive health consultant will work with our radiologists and radiographers to offer a reassuringly thorough approach, providing a clear diagnosis and access to the right treatment pathway. We can help to alleviate or eliminate any distressing digestive health symptoms that are impacting your daily life, including:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Dyspepsia
- Dysphagia
- Faecal incontinence
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Nausea & vomiting
- Rectal bleeding
- Regurgitation
- Weight loss
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 locations
Digestive Health Centre
21 Wellington Road St John's Wood NW8 9SQ London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
Chelsea Outpatient Centre - 280 Kings Road
280 Kings Road SW3 5AW London
Our patient's stories
An intestinal failure success story
“I’m six foot two and my average weight at the time was around nine and a half, or 10 stone. If you look back at old family photos, I'm skin and bone, you know?”
Jon, 58, is recalling his referral for surgery a little over 10 years ago. Having lived with Crohn's disease of the small intestine for most of his life, he was showing signs of intestinal failure (IF) and was becoming dangerously malnourished.
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.
Mo's story
Mo Haque was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer back in 2014, shortly before his 32nd birthday.
Since then, he has undergone life-changing immunotherapy treatment at HCA UK at University College Hospital, which has meant his cancer is now stable. However, along his cancer journey, Mo was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome – a genetic condition which makes him more pre-disposed to certain types of cancer.
Since then, he has undergone life-changing immunotherapy treatment at HCA UK at University College Hospital, which has meant his cancer is now stable. However, along his cancer journey, Mo was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome – a genetic condition which makes him more pre-disposed to certain types of cancer.
Digestive health tests and scans FAQ
No, most of the tests we carry out are either non-invasive or involve only mild discomfort. For procedures such as an oesophago-gastro-duoenoscopy (OGD) or colonoscopy, you can request to be sedated.
Your consultant will talk you through the range of pain relief options we offer and what’s involved.
Your consultant will talk you through the range of pain relief options we offer and what’s involved.
An endoscopy is a procedure that looks inside your body using an instrument called an endoscope. This long, thin flexible tube with a light and video camera at the end can be used to investigate symptoms, to take some tissue samples (a biopsy) or to carry out some types of procedures.
It can help us to assess your oesophagus, stomach and the first part of your bowel, using an OGD, or your colon and small bowel, using a colonoscopy.
It can help us to assess your oesophagus, stomach and the first part of your bowel, using an OGD, or your colon and small bowel, using a colonoscopy.
It will depend on which test you’re having. Some do require fasting, avoiding certain medications, or bowel cleansing. You’ll receive detailed instructions from the team beforehand, so you know exactly what’s required.
Some medications may need to be paused. Always follow your consultant’s instructions and let them know what medications you are taking so that they can give you tailored and timely advice.
Results for some tests, such as an endoscopy, are available immediately, while others may take a few days to a week. We know that waiting for results can be stressful, so we’ll always do our best to get them back to you as soon as possible.
For non-invasive scans or stool tests, yes you can. However, if you’ve had sedation, for example in order to have a colonoscopy, you’ll need to wait for someone to come and take you home.
Yes, we can. If you don’t have any symptoms but still have concerns perhaps because you have a family history of digestive issues, we can conduct asymptomatic screening to help give you peace of mind. These screening tests include:
- qFIT testing (quantitative Faecal Immunochemical Test) which is a fast and accurate test available to patients aged 40 and over, looking for early signs of bowel cancer or other gastrointestinal issues
- Endoscopic screening for colorectal cancer which identifies and removes any premalignant polyps that are found
- Inherited genetic testing which is carried out by a team of experienced genetic counsellors and clinical geneticist
To help us get to the root cause of your symptoms, we offer a whole range of digestive health tests as part of our diagnostic testing pathway. These include:
- Endoscopy: We offer a full capability, GI endoscopy service across HCA UK
- Biopsy: All samples are analysed by expert pathologists
- Imaging: We provide virtual colonoscopy as well as the latest CT, PET CT, MRI and ultrasound technology
- Bowel cancer screening: Checking for bowel and colorectal cancer
“I couldn’t fault the care I received, both in ITU and on the ward… The transition of care to the ward was fantastic — I felt very well looked after.”
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