The Department of Gastroenterology and the North Bristol Liver Unit (NBLU) are located at Southmead Hospital. We treat many different problems with the stomach, intestines, and liver.
The department has 11 consultants who work together on different areas, such as:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- GI bleeding of obscure origin
- Liver and bile duct problems, including specialised tests like endoscopic ultrasound
- Hepatology including liver transplants (with help from King's College Hospital)
- Short bowel problems
- Bowel cancer screening
- Referrals from other hospitals who need specialised procedures like ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), small bowel endoscopy, and complex portal hypertension
We have a team of nurse specialists in IBD and hepatology, alcohol specialists, pharmacists, and dietitians, to support our work.
We also have a day unit for treatments like administration of biologic medication, intravenous iron, and abdominal paracentesis (fluid removal from the abdomen).
Patients who need special care stay on ward 8A, where doctors, nurses, and other specialists work closely together.
There is a regular clinical audit and governance programme and we have an active clinical research portfolio.
