If you’ve been referred to Gastroenterology as an outpatient, we’ll invite you in for an assessment with one of our consultants. During the appointment we’ll discuss your medical history and the symptoms you’re experiencing. We may also do a physical examination or tests such as:

• blood tests
• a CT scan
• an MRI scan
• an X-ray
• an ultrasound scan
• tests on a sample of your poo

Depending on your circumstances, we may also need to refer you to the Endoscopy Unit.

Once we’ve made our assessment, we’ll discuss your results and go through your options in detail. Together we’ll agree on the best option for you and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Treatment options may include:

• a change to your diet
• advice and education on how to manage your condition
• new medication
• surgery
• follow up appointments to see how you’re getting on

The nutrition team see all patients, to advise on and to support clinical teams in delivering nutritional care, particularly in complex decision making.

The Team is made up of;

• Consultant Gastroenterologist
• Consultant Biochemist
• Dietitian
• Speech and Language Therapist

The Nutrition Specialist Nurse sits within the Gastroenterology team and provides:

• Advice, support and guidance to nursing staff and managers in relation to enteral feeding
• Assessment, placement and management of artificial feeding devices
• A helpline for patients discharged with feeding tub
• Responds to patients attending A&E with tube related problem
• Staff education and teaching
• Works closely with dietitians and speech and language therapists to provide a multidisciplinary approach to patient care

Our hospital alcohol team are able to carry out comprehensive assessments for patients with a wide range of alcohol related concerns such as:

• Assessment and management of alcohol withdrawal
• Assessment and management of Wernicke’s encephalopathy
• Lifestyle advice and health education
• Advice for staff and patients regarding medications
• Signposting to community services when discharge planning
• Staff education and teaching

Our Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) service is available for hospital and outpatients registered with the Royal Bolton Hospital.

We pride ourselves on the delivery of high quality care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We have a multidisciplinary team approach which provides:

• Specialist IBD outpatient clinics
• Nurse led IBD clinics
• Telephone clinics
• Biologics service which includes outpatient clinics, counselling clinics and delivery of biological therapies by highly specialised nurses
• Multidisciplinary team meetings
• Specialist inpatient care with a dedicated gastroenterology ward
• IBD flare line
• Dedicated pharmacist
• Clerical and administrative support