The department is based in both hospitals with outpatient, endoscopy and inpatient ward facilities.
There is a close working relationship with the upper and lower GI (gastrointestinal) surgeons at both hospitals in addition to shared patient care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
The James Cook University Hospital
The department is based in the endoscopy centre which is a purpose built facility opened in 1996. The department consists of four endoscopy rooms, an outpatient suite of four consulting rooms, each with two examination rooms and consultant office accommodation.
There is a physiological measurement room and children’s play area. Situated at the Marton Road side of the hospital it is adjacent to the A&E department and acute admissions unit.
We have 12 full time consultant gastroenterologists. This team integrates with the gastrointestinal (GI) surgeons and a dedicated gastrointestinal radiologist. In addition the unit has:
- An associate specialist endoscopist
- A nurse endoscopist who provides the gastrostomy feeding tube service including a clinic for patient review
- A physiology / motility assessment nursing sister
- Senior and junior specialist registrars (post recognised for dual accreditation in gastro and general medicine)
- Nursing and health care assistant staff – covering the endoscopy unit
- Clinical governance lead
- Specialist IBD nurses
Friarage Hospital
The department is a new, purpose-built facility which opened in 2022.
It consists of a reception area, three admission rooms and three endoscopy suites. We have separate male and female recovery areas; this ensures that a high level of privacy and dignity is always maintained.
The unit also has a comfortable discharge lounge where post procedure refreshments are available.
Here at the Friarage endoscopy unit we aim to provide the highest of care.
In early 2024 the South Tees Accreditation for Quality Care awarded the unit with a Diamond Award (outstanding). This highlights a whole team approach that prioritises excellent care which encompasses the trust values of quality and safety.
We are open seven days a week 8am to 6pm.
Endoscopy services offered at James Cook
As The James Cook University Hospital is the regional centre for endoscopy for patients within the surrounding area, we provide a greater number of both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, as opposed to the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton. This means that you may only be able to have your procedure performed at the James Cook endoscopy unit, as the Friarage does not provide all specialist services.
Our services include the following endoscopy procedures:
- Gastroscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy
- ERCP
- EUS
- PEG service
- Oesophageal stenting and dilatation
- Oesophageal manometry
- Video capsule endoscopy
- Colon stenting and dilatation
- EMR
- Trans-nasal endoscopy
Endoscopy services offered at the Friarage Hospital
The following is a list of procedures performed at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton:
- Gastroscopy
- Colonoscopy
- EMR
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Treatment of haemorrhoids
- Bronchoscopy
The unit is a diagnostic centre for conditions which affect the upper/lower GI tract. It is also a recognised endoscopy training centre for doctors and nurse endoscopists.
Please note that if you require a routine diagnostic endoscopy procedure, you may be requested to attend the Friarage Hospital endoscopy unit as more specialist procedures are performed at the James Cook endoscopy unit.