Endoscopy at The Billington Centre

We provide the following procedures:

• Gastroscopy is a technique to look directly into your gullet (oesophagus), stomach and the first part of the small bowel (duodenum)
• Colonoscopy is an examination of the large bowel (colon)
• Sigmoidoscopy which is a procedure to look inside the rectum and sigmoid (lower) colon (the first 60cm of the bowel) for polyps, abnormal areas, or cancer. A sigmoidoscope is inserted through the anus and rectum into the lower part of the colon (sigmoid colon)
• Pill Cam which is a capsule based endoscopy
• Abdominal paracentesis, is a procedure to remove fluid from the abdomen
• Banding of haemorrhoids with rubber bands
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is procedure where any abnormality of the pancreas or surrounding area can be seen and biopsies may be taken
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) which is used to diagnose any biliary tract problems such as gall stones, jaundice and obstruction of bile
• Removing a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) or other feeding tubes.  These tubes enable feeding if you cannot take food through your mouth

We also have an outpatient liver clinic to provide treatments for people with viral hepatitis and conduct Fibroscan which is an ultrasound to assess the degree of scarring in your liver.

Our team includes:

• Medical specialists including Gastroenterologists and Surgeons who will perform your procedure and assess, treat and manage your care.
• An expert team of Anaesthetists and anaesthesia nurses will provide your anaesthesia throughout the procedure
• Nursing Unit Manager and team of experienced endoscopy nurses manage our everyday activities.
• Gastroenterology/Hepatology Clinical Nurse Consultants (CNCs) are trained specialists who provide support and education.
• Enteral and Parenteral/ IV Nutrition Support CNC supports our weekly outpatient clinic for people with gastrointestinal feeding problems and feeding tube changes.
• Administration staff who will help you make appointments and provide you all the appropriate information regarding your procedure, including the booking information and documents describing the different procedures.

We work in partnership with the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

The Billington Centre does not accept direct bookings from your local general practitioner (GP). Your GP will need to refer you to a specialist doctor such as a gastroenterologist or surgeon first.

You will have seen this specialist in either their private medical service or in our specialist Gastroenterology Clinic at the Outpatient Department of Prince of Wales Hospital. At this consultation the specialist will determine if you will need to have an endoscopic procedure, if you do, they will write you a referral to the Billington Centre.

Your specialist doctor will either arrange your appointment for you directly with the Billington Centre or will give you a booking form to take to our Centre to organise the appointment yourself.

If you need to attend the Billington Centre in person to make your appointment, the Office is open 7.30am - 4.00pm daily for bookings (closed on weekends, Public Holidays and one Friday a month). You must bring along your RFA/booking form from your specialist.

The Billington Centre will then send you your appointment either by post or email.  If you provide your mobile phone number you will receive a SMS reminder a week before your appointment.

Can I chose the day and time I attend the centre for my appointment?

The Billington Centre procedures are organised for certain doctors on certain days. We will find you the next available appointment time that matches when your required specialist is available.

What if I need to cancel my appointment for the procedure?

Once your appointment is booked, you will receive a text message a week in advance to remind you of the date and time. This message will include a contact number so you can call us if you cannot attend.  We will re-book your appointment if necessary.

You will receive a letter in the mail describing how to prepare for your endoscopic procedure before you come to hospital. It will also confirm your appointment time and date. Please follow the instructions carefully, especially the instructions about diet and fasting. If these instructions are not followed, we may not be able to do the procedure.

Please make arrangements for a responsible adult to pick you up from hospital to take you home and stay with you overnight after your procedure. You must not drive a car or operate complex machinery for 24 hours after your procedure.

What do I need to bring on the day of my procedure?

Please bring:

• Your referral letter from your GP
• Your Medicare card
• A list of your medicines or bring all your medicines in a bag, including any herbal or over the counter medicines
• Your CPAP machine if you are required to use one
• You are welcome to bring a support person (a relative, friend or carer) with you
• Any test results, x-rays or reports relating to your current medical condition.
• You may have to wait a while before your procedure so we recommend that you bring reading material with you.
• Please do not bring jewellery including body piercings, valuables or large amounts of money. The hospital cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to your property.
• Please remove nail polish and shellac.
• a responsible adult must take you home after you have had your procedure and stay with you overnight due to the anaesthetic you will be given. The procedure cannot go ahead if there is not a responsible adult whom can do this. On admission the nurses must get a mobile/phone number to contact that person, if not, we may have to reschedule to a time that is suitable for that person to collect you after your procedure.

You will need continue to visit your local GP. We will send them a report on your procedure. Your specialist will let you know if you need to make an appointment with your GP.

Please let us know if you need an interpreter. You can contact us telephoning the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450. Tell the operator what language you speak and then ask the interpreter to set up a telephone conversation between you, an interpreter, and the healthcare professional you want to speak with.

As we are a teaching hospital, you may be asked to be involved in research, or for a student to be present at your appointment. You have a right to say no. If you do so, this will not impact in any way on the services we will provide.