Endoscopy costs and locations
Birmingham
Devizes
Emersons Green
Gillingham
Ilford
Plymouth
Southampton
St Mary’s Portsmouth
What is an endoscopy?
An endoscopy is a test that uses a long thin flexible tube containing a camera, called an endoscope, to look inside the body. An endoscopy can be used to investigate or monitor conditions affecting the oesophagus/gullet (food pipe), stomach, upper small bowel and separately the colon and rectum. Endoscopy procedures are performed by accredited endoscopists who may be Consultants in Gastroenterology or General Surgery, or by nurse endoscopists who have undergone extensive additional training. All endoscopists meet the criteria for independent practice set by our UK national endoscopy body, Joint Advisory Group on GI endoscopy (JAG) and are regularly assessed on the quality of their procedures.
At Practice Plus Group, we offer three types of endoscopy procedure. These can be accessed as a private patient (through self-pay or your private health insurance company) or via the NHS with a referral from your GP or specialist. The three types of endoscopy are:
- Colonoscopy
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Gastroscopy (OGD) or upper GI endoscopy.
In each case, the endoscopist will explain what they have found at the end of the procedure.
About two to three weeks after your procedure, your GP will also receive the results of any biopsies or polyps taken during the procedure.
Why would you need an endoscopy test?
The type of endoscopy you need depends on the part of the body being looked at.
Types of endoscopy procedures
Learn about the different endoscopy types available through Practice Plus Group…
Private colonoscopy
A colonoscopy looks at the whole colon and rectum to investigate bleeding, change in bowel function and abdominal pain. It may be requested if you have a strong family history of bowel cancer (known as screening) or if you have had previous polyps (also known as surveillance).
An endoscope will be carefully passed through the anus into the rectum and large bowel. In order to allow a clear view of the bowels you will be given instructions for strong laxatives and a diet sheet to follow in the days leading up to the examination to make sure your bowel is completely empty. Pictures and samples (known as biopsies) may be taken during the test and if we find small fleshy tissue growths, known as polyps, these are likely to be removed if safe to do so.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure to look at the lower part of the colon (large intestine/ large bowel) and rectum. This is the best test to investigate bright red bleeding from your bottom or if you’re experiencing left-sided abdominal pain. For this test, you will need to administer an enema into your bottom. This is a fluid preparation to flush out your lower colon/ rectum. For the investigation, an endoscope will be passed into your bottom aiming to look at the lower third of your colon.
Private gastroscopy
A gastroscopy is a procedure to look at the inside of your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum (part of the small intestine). It is carried out to investigate symptoms of indigestion or reflux, abdominal pain, swallowing problems, weight loss or certain abnormal blood tests. You will need to refrain from eating up to six hours prior to the procedure and drinking for two hours prior to the procedure to ensure excellent images to aid diagnosis. Samples (known as biopsies) may also be taken through the endoscope during the test.
Endoscopy risks and complications
Endoscopy is generally considered to be safe with low risk of complications. However the following risks are associated with endoscopy procedures:
- Discomfort, bloating and wind: These are common and pass quickly once the test has finished.
- Perforation: occasionally the tip of the endoscope can tear the wall of the gut. The risk is low with a diagnostic test (less than one per thousand procedures), but a little higher if polyps are removed.
- Bleeding: the risk of bleeding increases if tissue samples are taken or polyps are removed
- Infection: this includes a small increased risk of chest infection after gastroscopy. Reaction to drugs given: occasionally patients may have an adverse reaction to the drugs given during the endoscopy procedure.
These risks will be discussed with you prior to the investigation itself.
Recovering from an endoscopy
Planning ahead is key. If you choose to have conscious sedation, you won’t be able to drive for 24 hours afterwards and must have an adult to be present with you at home for that full 24 hour period. You should also avoid operating machinery or making important personal or financial decisions for the 24 hours following the procedure.
How do I arrange a private or self-pay endoscopy at Practice Plus Group?
If you would like to have your procedure at a Practice Plus Group site. You will need a referral from either your GP or a specialist. Once you’ve got a referral, get in touch with our self-pay team who will be able to put you in contact with your nearest endoscopy unit.
Benefits of a private endoscopy
There are quite a few benefits to choosing to have your endoscopy privately. The first and likely most appealing is the significantly reduced waiting times. With NHS waiting lists still struggling to cope with the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the diagnostic imaging waiting list in England and Wales in 2022 grew to 435,000. It therefore stands to reason that patients needing the procedure begin to seek out faster endoscopy services.
For more information about waiting times at Practice Plus Group, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on 0330 162 3764 or enquire online.
How much is a private endoscopy?
If you need the procedure, you’re probably wondering how much a private endoscopy operation costs. The price can rise beyond £2,000 depending on a number of factors. First, the type of endoscopy will inform the cost, as well as whether the procedure is going to take tissue samples. At Practice Plus Group, endoscopy procedures start from £1,399 and are available via self-pay, health insurance or the NHS.
Endoscopy payment options
At Practice Plus Group, you can pay for your endoscopy procedure yourself or via health insurance. If you’re paying for yourself, you can pay via credit or debit card, or through Chrysalis, our finance partner. Finance is available over 12 months at 0%. Longer-term options are available from 36-60 months at 14.9% APR.
Self-pay endoscopy
If you’re paying for yourself, payment needs to be made seven days before your endoscopy procedure. You can pay via credit or debit card, or through Chrysalis, our finance partner. Finance is available over 12 months at 0%. Longer-term options are available from 36-60 months at 14.9% APR.
Ways to pay
There are 3 ways to access endoscopy at Practice Plus Group:
- Self-pay private healthcare
- Private health insurance
- NHS referral
Why choose Practice Plus Group?
At Practice Plus Group Hospitals we’re passionate about giving patients a positive experience and excellent clinical outcomes, with personalised care every step of the way. Whether you’re paying for yourself or using private medical insurance, with our short waiting times, unrivalled Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings and high levels of cleanliness and infection control, we’ll make sure you’re looked after. In fact, we were the first provider to have all services rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC.
The first step is booking an appointment or contact us on 0330 162 3764.
