Department Head:	Dr S Johnston
Contact:	028 9032 9241 Extension: 3599
		The Department is located on the ground floor of the Belfast City Hospital Tower adjacent to the main corridor. The main entrance is the Reception entrance for Day case patients which is opposite the Out-Patients Department.
Layout The Unit consists of the three Endoscopy rooms and there is a 10 space recovery area with a Nurse base and toilets for patients. The Day patients’ waiting area and Unit reception are opposite the Admissions Office on the ground floor of the BCH Tower.
Common Procedures ERCP ERCP is a technique used to study the ducts (drainage routes) of the gallbladder, pancreas, and liver (the drainage channels from the liver are called bile ducts). An endoscope (flexible thin tube that allows the doctor to see inside the bowel) is passed through the mouth, gullet and stomach into the first part of the small intestine following which it may be possible to remove stones from the bile duct. Gastroscopy Gastroscopy (or OGD) is a procedure that enables your doctor to examine the lining of the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract using a thin flexible tube with its own lens and light source. This procedure is usually performed to evaluate symptoms of persistent upper abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, bleeding, weight loss or low blood count.
Colonoscopy Colonoscopy is a procedure that enables your doctor to examine the lining of the large bowel by inserting a long flexible tubular instrument that is about the thickness of your index finger into the back passage and advancing it slowly through the large bowel. Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Flexible Sigmoidoscopy is a procedure that enables your doctor to examine the lining of the lower part of the large bowel by inserting a flexible tube that is about the thickness of your finger into the back passage and advancing it slowly.