Endoscopy

The Endoscopy service at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care is a JAG accredited, 15 bedded unit which operates 3 endoscopy procedure rooms. In addition to providing decontamination services for our unit, we also provide a decontamination service for the Urology and Anaesthetics departments.

The team consists of 15 endoscopists, comprising of gastroenterologists, surgeons and nurse endoscopists. The endoscopists are supported by a highly trained and well lead team of endoscopy nurses, healthcare assistants, technical staff and admin staff. The dedication and commitment of our team ensures we deliver the highest quality of care to our patients.

Endoscopy service at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care services a population of 250,000 people within the Tameside and Glossop area with a comprehensive range of diagnostic and therapeutic, upper and lower GI endoscopy procedures, approximately performing 10,000 Endoscopic procedures per year.

We provide 6 daily planned lists for procedures, where patients are invited to attend as a day case which doesn’t usually require admission to hospital. We also perform urgent procedures for patients who are already admitted to hospital.

The Endoscopy service provides an excellent endoscopy training program for medical and surgical trainees. We also provide comprehensive training for nursing and admin staff.

We pride ourselves in treating each of our patients with dignity and respect, providing the best possible care every time. We consistently receive excellent feedback for the quality of our service and work with our patients to identify ways to further improve our service.

Clinical Lead/Consultant Surgeon: Mr A Benhamida

Matron for CSS: J Dowd

Endoscopy Unit Manager: S Irvine

An endoscopic procedure allows the doctor or nurse to visually inspect your gastrointestinal tract using a video camera attached to the end of a long thin flexible tube. Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (also known as OGD or Gastroscopy) includes examination of the oesophagus (food pipe or gullet), stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small bowel). Lower Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy) is an examination of the colon (large bowel).

Endoscopy is a safe procedure and is regularly performed using local spray or sedation, meaning the majority of patients go home a few hours after recovery.

The unit performs six types of endoscopic procedures which include:

Gastroscopy (OGD): Examination of the lining of your gullet, stomach and first part of your intestine by a flexible tube with a small camera on the end)
Colonoscopy: Examination of your large bowel by a flexible tube with a small camera on the end)
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Examination of lower bowel by a flexible tube with a small camera on the end
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography): Examination of the pancreas and bile ducts
Bronchoscopy: Examination of your lung by a flexible tube with a small camera on the end)
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG): Service for people who need to be tube-fed directly into the stomach

For further information on the above procedures please see useful resources section where there are links to patient leaflets. An information sheet on the dietary changes and bowel preparation you will need to take in the days before your colonoscopy procedure can also be found in the useful resourses section.

Referrals can be made by GPs through the NHS e-Referral service or by a hospital clinician. Patients with suspected cancer should be referred via the two-week cancer pathway.