An endoscopy involves examining the inside of a person’s body using an endoscope.  Endoscopy helps diagnose and treat conditions of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract – areas such as the oesophagus, the stomach, the colon, the bowel. Endoscopy services at the Mater Private are provided by Consultants with expert knowledge and clinical experience in the fields of Gastroenterology, Colorectal and General Surgery. Our physicians and the skilled support team are dedicated to providing the best care possible. For patients with worrying symptoms the first port of call is a visit to your GP for evaluation. Your GP may start treatment with a prescription/medication or may recommend an endoscopy procedure to evaluate symptoms such as:

• Stomach pain
• Ulcers, gastritis, or difficulty swallowing
• Digestive tract bleeding
• Changes in bowel habits (chronic constipation or diarrhoea)
• Polyps or growths in the colon

Referrals to Endoscopy services are by GP referral only.

Referrals can be made direct to consultant rooms (contact info below) or to the direct access service as above.

The procedure is carried out using an endoscope – a flexible tube with a light and camera attached to it. The camera allows your doctor to view pictures of your digestive tract on a color TV monitor.

An endoscope is passed through the mouth and throat into the oesophagus allowing the doctor to view the oesophagus, stomach and upper part of the small intestine. This is known as a GASTROSCOPY or OGD (oesophagogastroduodenoscopy)

Similarly, an endoscope can be passed into the large intestine (colon) through the rectum to examine this area of the intestine. This is known as a COLONOSCOPY (Full Colonoscopy) or SIGMOIDOSCOPY (Left-Sided Colonoscopy)

Colonoscopy is a procedure used to detect inflamed tissue, ulcers, and abnormal growths. The procedure is used to diagnose unexplained changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, bleeding from the anus, and weight loss, which can be an indicator of many illnesses and diseases. You will either have a full colonoscopy or left-sided colonoscopy.

Full Colonoscopy

A full colonoscopy is a visual examination of the lining of your bowel. It is performed by passing a small flexible tube through the rectum into the colon, which has a camera and a light on the tip, used to look at the area being examined. To allow a clear view during the examination, your colon (bowel) must be empty. You will be given instructions about taking laxative solutions/preparation(s) to clear the bowel, in advance of the test.

The test itself varies in length lasting from 15-60 minutes. However you can expect to be in the department for a couple of hours, as you will have sedation.

The Procedure

• You will receive sedation for the procedure. Your must not travel home unaccompanied or drive
• You will lie on your left side and an examination of your rectum will be carried out
• The tube will be passed through the rectum into the colon
• During the test air will be passed into your colon to inflate the area to give a better view of the area being examined
• If necessary the doctor may take a small piece of tissue for biopsy
• You may feel some abdominal (stomach) cramps and some pressure from the tube. This is normal and will pass quickly
• A nurse will stay with you throughout the examination

For more information click here for the Full Colonoscopy patient information leaflet.

Left Sided Colonoscopy

A left sided colonoscopy is a visual examination of the inside of the rectum (back passage) and sigmoid colon (bowel). It is performed by passing a small flexible tube through the rectum into the lower left side of the colon.

To allow a clear view of your colon, it must be empty. To enable this you will be given a small enema prior to the examination. You do not need to fast for this procedure. The test itself is quite short, lasting approximately 5-10 minutes. However you can expect to be in the department for a couple of hours – this depends on the whether or not you have sedation.

The Procedure

• This test is not normally performed under sedation but in some cases it may be required
• You will lie on your left side and an examination of your rectum (back passage) will be carried out
• The tube will be passed through the rectum into the colon (bowel)
• During the test air will be passed into your colon to inflate the area to give a better view of the area being examined
• If necessary the doctor may take a small piece of tissue for biopsy
• You may feel some abdominal (stomach) cramps and some pressure from the tube. This is normal and will pass quickly
• A nurse will stay with you throughout the examination

For more information click here for the Left Sided Colonoscopy patient information leaflet.

A Gastroscopy is a test which allows the Doctor to look at the lining of the oesophagus (gullet), the stomach and the first part of your intestine.

It is performed using a thin flexible tube (gastroscope) which has a camera and a light on the tip, used to look at the area being examined. The stomach needs to be empty for this procedure so you will be fasting for 8 hours prior to the test.

The test itself is quite short, lasting approximately 5-10 minutes. However you can expect to be in the department for a couple of hours, depending on whether or not you have sedation.

The test is not painful but can feel a little uncomfortable.

The Procedure

• A throat spray is given to numb your throat
• You will lie on your left side
• A plastic mouth piece will be placed between your teeth, to help keep your mouth slightly open
• The gastroscope is passed through this mouth piece, into your mouth and gently moved down the oesophagus. .
• The gastroscope does not interfere with your breathing and you can breathe normally
• During the test air will be passed into your stomach to inflate the area to enable a better view for the examination
• If necessary the doctor may take a small piece of tissue for biopsy
• A nurse will stay with you throughout the procedure

For more information click here for the Gastroscopy patient information leaflet

For the majority of patients endoscopy procedures are carried out as a day-case procedure. The vast majority of insurance plans offer 100% cover for day-case procedures at the Mater Private. Patients with no insurance cover also have access to the Mater Private and will be given a procedure cost estimate in advance of treatment.

At the Mater Private we are happy to help patients understand what, if any cost, they may incur for any procedure. To do this there a few simple steps

1. Check the name of your plan
2. Check your plan number
3. Confirm  the procedure name with your Consultant
4. Call us on 01-885 8856 with the above details