Dr Karl Hazel
Consultant Gastroenterologist
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Procedures
A Colonoscopy is used to identify any abnormalities or to detect changes in the large intestine (colon) and in the rectum. If you are experiencing one of the following symptoms / clinical indications, you may benefit from the completion of a diagnostic colonoscopy to explore the possible causes:
- Lower abdominal pain
- Blood in the stool (haemoccult positive stool)
- Rectal bleeding
- Altered bowel habit - Acute constipation or diarrhoea, change in colour or consistency of the stool
- Iron deficiency anaemia - (Symptoms include tiredness / lethargy / pale skin)
- Or if you have a family history of bowel cancer
If you have any of the above symptoms or clinical indications, talk to your GP about a referral to the Direct Access Endoscopy Unit at Bon Secours Hospital Dublin.
An Upper GI Endoscopy is used to look at the upper digestive system to identify and diagnose conditions that affect the oesophagus, stomach and beginning of the small intestine. If you are experiencing one of the following symptoms / clinical indications, you may benefit from the completion of an upper GI Endoscopy to explore the possible causes:
- Reflux / heart burn / indigestion – May be an indication of GORD (Certain criteria must be met depending on age)
- Difficulty swallowing – (Dysphagia)
- Upper abdominal pain / epigastric pain
- Abdominal bloating and feeling of fullness despite very little intake of food (early satiety)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Gastric ulcer
- Iron deficiency anaemia - (Symptoms include tiredness / lethargy / pale skin)
- Vomiting blood (haematemesis)
- Black, tarry stool (melena)
If you have any of the above symptoms or clinical indications, talk to your GP about a referral to the Direct Access Endoscopy Unit at Bon Secours Hospital Dublin.
A sigmoidoscopy is used to check the sigmoid colon, which is the lower part of your colon or large intestine. If you are experiencing one of the following symptoms / clinical indications, you may benefit from the completion of a sigmoidoscopy to explore the possible causes:
- Bleeding
- History of haemorrhoids
- Constipation or diarrhoea
If you have any of the above symptoms or clinical indications, talk to your GP about a referral to the Direct Access Endoscopy Unit at Bon Secours Hospital Dublin.
Features of the service
- All referrals received are triaged by one of the over 20 consultant team on the day of receipt.
- Urgent patients are prioritised and offered the next available appointment.
- Depending upon the details in the referral form the referral may be directed to a specific consultant with a particular interest in the specified area / condition.
- Following the procedure, the consultant will discuss the results of the procedure with the patient and management plan. Patients will be provided with a copy of their report.
- A detailed reports is sent directly to the referring GP and where a result is urgent, the GP will be contacted by phone. Any pathology results will also be sent to the GP as soon as they are available (please note that this may take 3 to 4 weeks).
Suitable patients
Whilst most people will be suitable for Direct Access Endoscopy there will be some who may not be and will require a consultant review prior to their colonoscopy or GI endoscopy. These include those who are:
- Under 18 years of age
- Over 80 years of age
- Have other significant medical conditions
- Have abnormal or unstable blood pressure or hypertension (Hemodynamically unstable)
- Those with a BMI of >40
- Those requesting a GA / Propofol
Insurance and fees
Private Health Insurance
Bon Secours Hospital Dublin has excellent insurance coverage in place with all health insurance companies and most private health insurance packages cover the cost of the procedure (subject to the terms and conditions of the policy).
To check if your health insurance policy covers you for an endoscopy procedure with us, please call 01 806 5305 or contact your insurance company directly.
The insurance company will ask you for the procedure code which are as follows:
Colonoscopy - Code 455
Gastroscopy - Code 194
Sigmoidoscopy - Code 450
Colonoscopy & Gastroscopy - Codes 455 & 194
Self Pay Patients
The following is the cost of procedures;
- Gastroscopy - €950
- Full Colonoscopy - €1550
- Left Colonoscopy - €950
- Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy - €1870
The above prices include Hospital, Consultant & Pathologist fees under local anaesthetic (if applicable). Please note that it does not include anaesthetist fees if required.
For more information on costs, please contact patient accounts on 01 806 5305.
Frequently asked questions
Once your referral has been received you will receive a text confirming this within 24hrs. If you have not received a text from us, this may mean:
Your referral has been sent directly to a consultant by your GP
or
Your referral has not yet been sent to us
Please contact your GP to reconfirm that the referral has been sent. If your referral has been sent directly to a consultant, you will need to contact the consultant directly.
Please refer to your appointment confirmation letter and arrive at the time indicated. Patients will be called in order of their appointment time.
This will be dependent upon the procedure you are having.
Gastroscopy
You will need to fast for 4 hrs beforehand from food and drink – please follow the instructions in your pack that was sent out.
Sigmoidoscopy
You will need to fast for 4 hrs beforehand from food and drink – please follow the instructions in your pack that was sent out to you. You will do the preparation for this procedure in the hospital.
Colonoscopy
You will need to fast from food for 24 hours prior to your procedure and from liquids 4 hours before your procedure. Please follow the prep instructions and information on fasting that was sent out in your pack.
Normally you will receive a copy of your endoscopy report on the day of your procedure. A copy of the report will also be sent to your GP. If you are attending your GP within 1 week of your procedure, please bring your copy of the endoscopy report with you to your appointment. Any blood or pathology results will be sent to your GP within 4 – 6 weeks.
If you have had sedation, you will not be allowed to drive home and must arrange for someone to collect you approx. 4 hours after the arrival time stated on your letter. You will need to be collected in person from the Endoscopy unit. You should not drive for 24 hours post sedation.
If you opt not to have sedation, you can drive home after your procedure.
This will be dependent upon the terms of your policy. You will need to contact your insurance company to confirm you are covered. They will ask you for a copy of a code for your procedure.
The following are the codes for the procedures:
Colonoscopy - Code 455
Gastroscopy - Code 194
Sigmoidoscopy - Code 450
Colonoscopy & Gastroscopy - Codes 455 & 194
Yes - you can. The cost will be dependent upon the procedure you are having.
Colonoscopy - €1550
Gastroscopy - €950
Sigmoidoscopy - €900
Colonoscopy & Gastroscopy - €1870
These prices excl. the cost of any scans if performed.
If you would like any additional information, please call the unit on 01 806 5490 or send us an email to [email protected].
