Bedford Gastroenterology
Clinics are run by Gastroenterology consultants, Registrars and IBD Specialist nurses. These take place either face to face or by telephone. Referrals to the service are made through your GP.
Following investigation a diagnosis of a condition or disorder may be made including:
- Diverticular disease
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis) [Insert link to IBD page]
- Oesophagitis/Eosinophilic Oesophagitis
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Bowel Cancer
- Coeliac Disease
- Hepatology
Following your diagnosis you may also be asked to participate in IBD research projects or trials within the hospital.
We are currently involved with recruiting patients for the development of a centralised and national bio resource of 25,000 patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis to support scientific and clinic research (sponsored by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust).
We are also recruiting to:
- PROPHER – Patient Reported Outcomes after Parastomal Hernia Treatment – a prospective international cohort study (Sponsor- NIHR West Midlands RRDN and the Hepatology/Gastroenterology study)
- ASP-PSC – study -Effect of Aspirin on Reducing Cancer & Mortality in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (Sponsor- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Closed to recruitment, but still in follow-up)
- BOPPP trial – Beta Blockers or Placebo for Primary Prophylaxis of oesophageal varices . A blinded, multi-centre, clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness randomised controlled trial (Sponsor- King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust)
- ASEPTIC: Primary Antibiotic Prophylaxis using co-trimoxazole to prevent Spontaneous bacterial Peritonitis in Cirrhosis (Sponsor- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)
Please contact the Research and Delivery Team for further information:
- Melchizedek Penacerrada – 01234 355 122, ext 6336, or ext 3469
- Marielle Tolentino – ext 3495
How do I make an appointment?
Your GP will need to refer you to the Gastroenterology Service. You will be contacted by Outpatient, Endoscopy or Radiology Appointments.
If you have any appointment queries, or you need to change or cancel an appointment, please contact the Appointments Team on 01234 355122, ext 2400, or 01234 730404.
How will I receive my test results?
Generally you will be contacted by letter with the results of your test results. If they are within the normal range you may not be contacted. Please do not telephone for your results unless you are asked to.
How do I contact the Gastroenterology service?
You can contact your consultant’s secretary. The contact details are list in the Clinical Staff information pages.
If you have a diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease you can contact the IBD non-urgent advice line on 01234 355122 (ext 6204) Monday to Friday between 9am to 2pm.