Diagnostic Respiratory Endoscopy
Diagnostic Respiratory Endoscopy Unit
The Endoscopy Unit provides endoscopic services for the diagnosis and management of respiratory tract conditions.
How do I get referred for a Respiratory Endoscopy appointment?
You will be referred to see a doctor in the outpatient department, who will refer you to our unit for a procedure.
How long does it take to get an appointment for an endoscopy procedure?
It depends on the type of referral made. If the referral meets the criteria for an urgent test, then an appointment will be offered within a two week period.
We strongly advise that you make yourself available to attend during this time.
If the procedure does not meet this criteria, then an appointment will be made within a 6 week period.
What should I do before my appointment?
You should read the pack of information that has been sent to you by our administrative team, very carefully at your earliest convenience.
The pack will contain a letter confirming the date and time of your appointment, a fact sheet, a procedure patient information leaflet and a personal detail confirmation form.
The fact sheet contains a list of medications which you should contact the unit on 01483571122 Ext:4409, to discuss at your earliest convenience to avoid delaying or cancellation of your procedure.
What happens at my appointment at the Endoscopy Unit?
You will check in with the receptionist and a nurse will come and take you through to be admitted. The nurse will check your details, observations and will get you changed for your test if appropriate.
You will need a cannula inserting for sedation to be administered for your procedure.
You will be consented by a consultant or registrar. You will be taken to the procedure room whereby a safety checklist will be undertaken to confirm safety details.
The procedure length will depend on what the doctor has requested.
Post procedure you will be taken through to recovery to recover from the procedure and the sedative medications.
Once you are stable and ready for transfer you will be taken through to our patient lounge to wait for your next of kin/ lift home.
You will be unable to eat or drink for 2 hours post procedure due to local anaesthetic medications administered as part of the procedure.
Once your lift attends the unit, we will discharge you into the care of your designated person. You will be informed of findings and post procedure expectations, follow up and timings for any results.