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What is a gastroscopy?
The goal of a gastroscopy is to explore the upper part of your digestive system. During a gastroscopy, a long, thin, flexible tube with a small camera and light inside is passed into your mouth to inspect your food pipe (oesophagus), stomach and duodenum (the initial c-shaped section of the small intestine). During a gastroscopy, tissue samples (biopsies) can also be taken and some conditions, such as stomach ulcers, can be treated.
You might need a gastroscopy if you experience symptoms such as:
- Indigestion which does not go away with treatment
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
- Chest or upper tummy pain
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Blood in vomit or dark, tar-like blood in poo
What is a gastroscopy looking for?
A gastroscopy is also a valuable diagnostic tool for assessing various gastrointestinal conditions, including:
- Peptic ulcers – these are sores that develop in the lining of your stomach or duodenum
- Coeliac disease
- Barrett’s oesophagus (abnormal cells in your oesophagus)
- Cancer, such as stomach cancer or oesophageal cancer
The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home the same day, and takes between 15 – 45 minutes. Before the procedure, patients are typically given a sedative to help them relax, and a local anaesthetic spray is applied to the back of the throat to reduce discomfort.
Consultants who perform Gastroscopy
What is the cost of a Private Gastroscopy?
£1,780
Private Gastroscopy costs £1,780 at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.
Hospital Fee Guaranteed. The price shown includes all costs associated with your treatment, from admission to discharge. Doesn’t include surgeon or anaesthetist fee.
Our hospital fee is guaranteed at the price quoted and valid for one month from the date issued, subject to pre-assessment.
How to pay for your treatment
If you’re… paying for yourself
Did you know you don’t need private medical insurance to come to St John & St Elizabeth Hospital? As a self-pay patient, you can access safe, outstanding quality health care at times to suit you.
For scans and tests, as well as to see most consultants, you’ll still need to be referred by a medical professional like your GP, but as a self-pay patient, the process is more straightforward. You won’t need authorisation from an insurance provider, and you’ll have greater choice of consultant and appointment times.
If you’re… insured
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is approved by all major medical insurance companies. If you have a personal private health insurance policy, or your company provide it for you, you can use it to pay for your care from your initial consultation through to treatment, surgery and aftercare such as physiotherapy. Not all private health insurance plans cover the same things. It’s very important to check exactly what you are covered for with your insurance provider.
Frequently Asked Questions about Private Gastroscopy
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is located in St John’s Wood (NW8), a well-connected area of North West London. We are conveniently located for patients from Hampstead (NW3), Kilburn (NW6), and the surrounding areas.
By Tube:
- St John’s Wood station (Jubilee Line) is just a 5-minute walk from the hospital.
- Finchley Road (NW3) and Kilburn stations (NW6) on the Jubilee Line provide excellent connections.
By Bus:
- Wellington Road: Routes 13, 46, 82, and 113 stop near St John’s Wood Underground Station, just a short walk from the hospital.
- Circus Road: Routes 46 and 187 stop close to the hospital’s Circus Road entrance.
- Abbey Road: Routes 139 and 189 stop near the junction where Grove End Road becomes Abbey Road, providing easy access.
Major Roads:
If you’re travelling from NW3 or NW6, major routes such as Finchley Road or Kilburn High Road offer a direct approach to the hospital.
Our location ensures convenient access for patients across London, particularly those in NW8, NW3, and NW6 postcodes.
If you are worried about your symptoms or your GP has referred you, get in touch and we will book you in with one of our specialist consultants. During your initial appointment, your doctor will ask about your symptoms, any test results, and take a detailed medical history. If you have copies of previous test results or treatment plans, please bring these with you. Your doctor will then talk through your options and let you know whether additional tests are needed. If a gastroscopy is recommended, the procedure will be explained thoroughly, including the risks and benefits. We encourage you to ask questions – it may help to write these down beforehand.
If you decide to have a gastroscopy, you will be given instructions to follow before the procedure. This will include fasting – you must not eat or drink anything for 6 to 8 hours before your appointment, to ensure your stomach is empty. This is very important, as having food in your stomach increases the risk of aspiration, which can be serious. You should also tell your doctor about any medications you’re taking, such as blood thinners or medications that affect blood clotting, as you may need to stop or adjust these. Don’t forget to bring your prescription medications with you.
When you arrive at our hospital, we’ll show you to your private room and our nursing team will check your vital signs, including weight, blood pressure and temperature. You’ll have the option to change into a hospital gown. Before the procedure, your doctor will see you to check that you’re still happy to go ahead.
At the start of your gastroscopy, you’ll be given the option of a sedative to help you relax, and a local anaesthetic spray to numb the back of your throat. Once your throat is numb, it may feel as though you can’t swallow – try not to panic. You will be able to swallow, but you may not feel it. You’ll lie on a couch and be given a mouth guard to protect your teeth. The doctor will gently insert a thin, flexible tube with a camera (the endoscope) into your mouth and guide it down your food pipe to your stomach and duodenum. The endoscope doesn’t affect your breathing. A small amount of air may be introduced to help with visibility, which can cause burping or bloating. If any abnormalities are found, your doctor may take a biopsy or carry out treatment during the procedure. This should be painless.
The procedure usually takes 15–45 minutes.
After your gastroscopy, a specialist nurse will take you back to your room and monitor your vital signs. You’ll be given something to eat and drink once you feel ready. If you had the throat spray, you’ll need to wait until your swallow reflex returns to normal – this can take up to an hour. Your doctor will explain the results and let you know if any biopsies were taken or treatments performed before you leave the hospital. If biopsies were taken, results are usually ready within a week, so you should book a follow-up appointment.
If you had sedation, you should be picked up and looked after for the next 24 hours while it wears off. During this time, do not drink alcohol, cook, or make important decisions. You may experience a sore throat or stomach ache after the procedure, but this should pass in a few hours.
Medically reviewed by Professor Patrick Kennedy - MB BCH BAO BMEDSCI FRCP MD on 21/02/2024