What is a gastroscopy?
A gastroscopy is an examination of the upper digestive system using a thin, flexible camera. It is used to diagnose conditions such as peptic ulcers, coeliac disease, Barrett’s oesophagus and stomach or oesophageal cancer, and is commonly recommended for persistent indigestion, difficulty or pain swallowing, chest or upper abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, or blood in vomit or dark, tarry stools.
It is usually an outpatient procedure lasting 15 to 45 minutes, with a local anaesthetic throat spray and a sedative to help you relax. Biopsies can be taken during the procedure, and some conditions, such as stomach ulcers, can be treated at the same time. Conveniently located in St John’s Wood (NW8), we offer this procedure to patients across London with a focus on safety and compassionate care.
Who is a gastroscopy suitable for?
- Persistent indigestion, heartburn or reflux that hasn’t improved with treatment
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
- Chest or upper abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting
- Blood in vomit or dark, tarry stools
- Patients being investigated for conditions such as ulcers, coeliac disease or Barrett’s oesophagus
Your consultant will assess your symptoms and medical history before recommending whether a gastroscopy is the right test for you.
What is the cost of a Private Gastroscopy?
from £1,400*
The cost of a private gastroscopy starts from £1,400* at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.
*The price shown is an estimated guide to the hospital charges associated with your treatment from admission to discharge. Your final cost may vary depending on your individual clinical needs, the procedure performed, any additional treatments required, the type of implant/prosthesis used (where applicable), and the length of stay. This guide price excludes consultation fees, diagnostic tests, and professional fees charged separately by your surgeon, anaesthetist, and any other specialists involved in your care.
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Diagnostic Gastroscopy |
£1,400* |
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Diagnostic Gastroscopy |
£1,500* |
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.
Consultants who perform Gastroscopy
Frequently Asked Questions about Private Gastroscopy
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is located in St John’s Wood (NW8), easily accessible for patients from Hampstead (NW3), Kilburn (NW6) and across North and Central London.
By Tube: St John’s Wood station (Jubilee Line) is a 5-minute walk to and from St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.
By Bus: Routes 13, 46 and 113 stop near St John’s Wood Underground Station. Routes 139 and 189 stop on Abbey Road.
By Car: Finchley Road and Kilburn High Road provide direct routes from NW3 and NW6.
A private gastroscopy at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital starts from £1,400*. The final cost will depend on your individual clinical needs and whether any additional procedures, such as biopsies, are required.
A gastroscopy is usually recommended to investigate symptoms such as persistent indigestion, difficulty swallowing, upper abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. At your initial appointment your consultant will discuss your symptoms and medical history, explain the procedure and its risks, and answer any questions before booking your test.
You will be given clear instructions before your appointment. In general, you will need to fast for several hours beforehand so your stomach is empty, and you should tell your team about all medication you take, particularly blood thinners and diabetes medication. If you are having sedation, arrange for someone to take you home.
Our team will welcome you, check your details and talk you through the procedure again, and you will be asked to sign a consent form. You will then change into a gown, and a small tube may be placed in your hand or arm to give you sedation.
Your throat is numbed with a local anaesthetic spray, and you are usually given a sedative to help you relax. The thin camera is then passed gently through your mouth to examine your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. It should not hurt, though you may feel some pressure or bloating.
Most patients choose to have a sedative to help them relax, along with a local anaesthetic throat spray. Some people prefer the throat spray alone. Your team will discuss the options with you beforehand.
The examination itself usually takes between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on whether biopsies or treatment are needed. You should allow extra time for checking in and for recovery afterwards.
You will rest in recovery until the sedation wears off, and your consultant will usually talk through what they saw before you leave. Any biopsy results take longer, and your team will tell you when to expect them. You may have a sore throat or feel bloated for a short while.
A sore throat, bloating or wind are common and settle quickly. If you have had sedation, do not drive, drink alcohol or sign legal documents for 24 hours. Contact your team or seek urgent advice if you develop severe pain, vomiting, black stools or a fever.
Endoscopy is the general term for using a camera to look inside the body. A gastroscopy is a specific type of endoscopy that examines the upper digestive system through the mouth, also known as an upper GI endoscopy or OGD.
Depending on your symptoms, your consultant may suggest tests such as blood or stool tests, a breath test for H. pylori, or imaging. However, a gastroscopy allows a direct view of the lining of the upper digestive system and the option of taking biopsies, so it is often the most informative test.
Medically reviewed by Professor Patrick Kennedy - MB BCH BAO BMEDSCI FRCP MD on 6/11/2026