The Endoscopy Department is a purpose built unit located on at Junction 4 on C level with in the main Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust site and operates from 8am to 6pm Monday-Friday and Sunday. We also operate a nurse on call service outside these hours (Monday to Thursday) for emergency upper GI bleeds, Friday to Sunday emergency upper GI bleeds are directed to one of our partner organisations; Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The Endoscopy unit mainly provides a diagnostic, screening and therapeutic service for patients with problems of the gastrointestinal tract, additionally we also host a diagnostic service for Gynaecology, Respiratory and Urology patients. As a service we routinely see approximately 10,000 patients per year. Over the next year the service is about to embark on a number of new and exciting projects, including the building of a purpose built decontamination unit, which will enable the service to offer our patients an enhanced experience and better flow. Our services are provided to patients throughout and beyond Rotherham who are not only referred by their GP but from specialist doctors from around the region.
Preparing for your procedure
If you have not already done so, please read the information booklet we sent to you along with your appointment. This will help you to understand your procedure and be more informed in preparation for when the pre-assessment nurse discusses it with you.
On your arrival to the Endoscopy Department you will be asked to take a number and seat in the reception area, you will then be called to the reception desk in numerical order to maintain confidentiality. The receptionist will ask several questions such as; your name, date of birth, next of kin and parts of your address. After the receptionist has completed all checks you will be asked to sit back into the reception area.
If you are having a Cystoscopy, Colposcopy or Hysteroscopy your nurse from the treatment room will collect you from the reception when they are ready for you.
If you are having a Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy or Bronchoscopy you will be pre-assessed by a member of our nursing staff. This will involve asking questions and will allow you to discuss your procedure with them. They will take a medical history and also record your weight, blood pressure, pulse and the level of oxygen in your blood by placing a small clip on your finger. This is done routinely. You will also be asked to sign the relevant documentation. After your pre-assessment you be asked to sit back in the waiting area.
Having your procedure
The Endoscopy Department has five treatment rooms and three other clinic rooms performing different procedures at the same time; it may appear that you are being treated out of turn, however, this is not so and you will called for your procedure when the doctors and nursing staff are ready. If you have any concerns about the length of time you are waiting you can always speak to a senior nurse.
Please allow a full morning or afternoon for your procedure as the Endoscopy Suite is based on a see and treat basis.
During your procedure the doctors and nurses will assist and guide you in any areas you are unsure about. Depending on the type of test you are having, it may be performed using local anaesthetic, throat spray, Entonox (gas and air/ laughing gas) or a sedative injection. The sedative injection used will relax you but may not make you sleepy.
Recovery period
After your procedure, if you have not had Entonox or a sedative injection you will be informed by the Endoscopist the outcome of your test and if you require any follow up treatment or medication.
Depending on your procedure you will/may be allowed to go straight home or taken into the second stage recovery area, where a nurse will ensure that you fully understand all the information you have been given.
If you have had a local anaesthetic spray to the back of your throat you will have to wait approximately 15 – 30 minutes for the anaesthetic spray to wear off before you can have a drink or something to eat.
If you have had a sedative injection or Entonox for your procedure you will be transferred in to the first stage recovery area to rest. This recovery period is approximately half an hour but can be longer as it varies from one patient to another.
After this time, you will be transferred to recovery stage two. In recovery stage two the findings of your procedure will be given along with any follow up treatment or medication you may require. You will also be offered a drink and some biscuits.
Finally, you will be discharged from the Endoscopy Department. If any biopsies or tissue samples were taken during your procedure you will be notified of the results at a follow up appointment, or by letter from the Endoscopist who performed your procedure.
Family and friends
Family and friends are always welcome to attend the Endoscopy Department with patients, unfortunately, due to the small reception area we do ask that they leave the department after the patient has been booked in, unless special arrangements have been made for them to stay.
The stage two recovery nurses will inform patient’s relatives/friend by phone of the time they need to be collected.
