Email: dnagastro@btinternet.com Tel: 01303 863898

Specialist gastroenterology investigations, diagnosis and treatment

We are a friendly and efficient specialist gastroenterology private practice, treating and caring for patients in Kent. David Austin is the expert gastroenterologist. He did his specialist training in many of the leading London Hospitals and has extensive experience in all aspects of gastroenterology. Jayne Austin provides specialist nursing advice and personally co-ordinates and oversees your care, keeping you informed every step of the way; from your initial appointment to discharge and beyond. Together we are dedicated to providing an outstanding quality of care and personal service.

“We treat our patients as we would like to be treated.”

Dr David Austin, BMedSci BMBS FRCP

David Austin has performed over ten thousand gastroscopies, colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies, and treats his patients with the greatest dignity and care.

He has undergone advanced specialist training, achieving the UK’s highest standard of accreditation to carry out expert colonoscopies for the screening and prevention of bowel cancer. David is the only bowel cancer screener at the William Harvey Hospital, Ashford.

What symptoms should you consult a gastroenterologist about?

Abdominal pain

The cause of abdominal pain may be difficult to diagnose. This is why abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons patients are referred to a gastrointestinal specialist.

Heartburn, Reflux and indigestion

These are common symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in which the stomach contents regurgitate into the oesophagus.

Diarrhoea and constipation

Any change in bowel habit must be investigated.

Rectal bleeding ‘blood in poo’

This can be a symptom of haemorrhoids, bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease or diverticular disease and should always be investigated.

Anaemia

There are many different types of anaemia. Several conditions including stomach and bowel cancer can cause anaemia and this is why investigation by a specialist may be necessary.

Difficulty swallowing

Most causes of problems swallowing are not serious but this may be a symptom of oesophageal cancer and for this reason must always be fully investigated.

Weight loss

Several conditions may cause weight loss. However unexplained or sudden weight loss may be a symptom of gastrointestinal cancer and should be investigated thoroughly.

Problems with your liver

You may be told you have abnormal blood tests (liver function tests) or abnormal ultrasound or CT scan and you need to see a gastroenterologist to diagnose the cause.

What conditions can a gastroenterologist help to diagnose?

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease ‘GORD’

This is diagnosed when acid leaks from the stomach back up into your food pipe. You may have heartburn, acid reflux and/ or difficulty swallowing. A gastroscopy may be necessary to assess the damage done by the acid.

Inflammatory bowel disease

This is a condition which causes inflammation in the colon and small intestine. There are two types, Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Bowel cancer

This is one of the most common cancers in the UK but if it is diagnosed and treated early it can often be cured completely. A specialist colonoscopy is usually required to make a diagnosis of bowel cancer.

Stomach cancer

This is a relatively uncommon cancer but the symptoms can be vague and misdiagnosed as less serious gastric conditions.

Oesophageal cancer

The oesophagus is the long tube which carries food to the stomach. This cancer can cause difficulty swallowing, a cough, weight-loss and throat pain. Oesophageal cancer can develop as a complication of Barrett’s Oesophagus.

Irritable bowel syndrome ’IBS’

About one third of the population get symptoms of IBS at some time in their lives and it is one of the most common reasons for being referred to a specialist gastroenterologist.

Coeliac disease

This is a lifelong autoimmune condition. It is caused by the immune system reacting to gluten and affects 1 in 100 people. This is a serious condition which should be diagnosed and managed by a specialist.

Liver disorders

Disease in your liver may result in abnormal blood tests (liver function tests) or jaundice but often there are no obvious symptoms. Dr Austin can offer expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of liver conditions.

Tests

We provide the following endoscopic investigations:
-Diagnostic gastroscopy
-Diagnostic colonoscopy
-Flexible sigmoidoscopy
-Rigid sigmoidoscopy

We can arrange:
-Blood tests
-Ultrasound scan
-CT scan
-MRI scan
-Small bowel MRI scan
-Percutaneous Liver biopsy
-Oesophageal Manometry and pH -studies
-Breath test for Helicobacter Pylori, lactose intolerance and bacterial overgrowth
-Bone density scan

Clinics

We have private hospitals and clinics in Kent:

The Chaucer Hospital
Nackington Road
Canterbury
Kent, CT4 7AR

KIMS Hospital
Kent Institute for Medicine and Surgery
Newnham Court Way
Maidstone
Kent, ME14 5FT

Sandgate Road Surgery
180 Sandgate Road
Folkestone
Kent, CT20 2HN

Ashford One Hospital, Ashford, Kent
Opening February 2016
Private clinic weekly

Private fees

Fees for private patients
Please contact us.

Insured patients
Our fees are accepted by most insurance companies.

Self-funding patients
The initial consultation is set at £200.

The charge for follow-up consultations may vary slightly to reflect the length of the appointment booked, telephone consultations and correspondence involved. The rate charged for follow-up appointments is between £150 and £200.

Make an appointment:

01303 863898 email icon dnagastro@btinternet.com

About Us

We began with a vision of a practice built on expertise and communication – providing patients with a joined-up pathway from the first contact through investigation and treatments until follow up and beyond.

We each worked in some of the leading London hospitals and, using over 50 years of combined experience, now succeed in delivering an outstanding level of care that we would like ourselves and our families to receive.

Our main clinics

The Chaucer Hospital, Canterbury, Kent
Private clinic weekly

KIMS Hospital, Maidstone, Kent
Private clinic weekly

Sandgate Surgery, Sandgate Road, Folkestone
Private clinic every Tuesday afternoon

One Ashford Hospital, Ashford, Kent
Private clinic weekly