St Nicholas Endoscopy Unit

Been here three times now, once for me in October (colonoscopy) and now twice in eight days with my seventy nine year old mum (top and tail examinations).I was nervous for myself the first time but the wonderful staff put my worries to rest with their professional yet friendly behaviour and information about what was going to happen. They constantly talk to you throughout the procedure and it was all over very quickly.With this knowledge I've been able to keep my mums spirits up before each visit and the staff have done a fantastic job looking after her through each attendance here.As in previous reviews there is plenty of parking here but it was a little tight today as its so near Xmas and a great local butchers also uses the same car park.

Excellent experience despite initial worries! Everything was explained well. I had a Gastroscopy. I went for the throat spray plus the sedation which mean I hardly felt a thing - I couldn’t believe how quickly it was completed!

Wish I could give it aMinus rating. The whole procedure is harrendous. When tube down throat no way to let them know you want it to stop nothing is in place about this. If I knew everything before hand would of totally refused everything. Didn't keep to time very very poor all round. My rating is about minus 5

Had an endoscopy today. The staff, bar the dr, seemed excellent, but I have never had a more horrendous experience with an endoscopy. I stated the amount of sedation required with previous endoscopy's, and I received half of that dose and wretched VIOLENTLY continuously throughout the procedure. I loved the nurses, but they did not advocate for me whilst the endoscopy tube was in and it was the most unpleasant procedure I have ever endured. Sedation means the patient is comfortably sedated. It felt like a box ticking exercise to say you gave it, and then rush the patient out! Very unhappy with the whole procedure and lack of concern for a patient that requested sedation to be FULLY AWAKE AND AWARE OF THE WHOLE PROCEDURE!!!!!!!

The receptionist and doctors nurses were amazing and so kind as I was abit nervous. To start with...they made me so comfortable thank you so much much for a pleasant experience

After reading the previous review I was extremely concerned as you can imagine (so thanks for that) maybe a private email about your experiences would have been more appropriate.Anyway.......Just to inform those who are going to be attending the unit and are extremely apprehensive....DONT be ! The nurses are absolutely wonderful and extremely kind and considerate explaining everything fully prior to it happening ....they stayed and chatted and reassured me throughout the procedure...I was set in my mind to have the lot including sedation but then decided not to.... I was able to have the procedure in a matter of minutes with NO sedation just the throat numbing spray which works great..... please please don’t be worried if I can do it ...trust me anyone can! They are a wonderful team and I highly recommend the unit.Please don’t panic after reading the previous review like I did...I experienced ABSOLUTELY Nothing like that!Thankyou once again to the unit you deserve not just 5 but 10 stars ⭐️

I had an endoscopy appointment today. It wasnt pleasant but the staff made it as good as it could be. They put me at ease. The nurse was amazing as i chose to have the local throat spray only. Thank you all. You do an amazing job.

I received a PCR test without having any notification of my appointment for colonoscopy. Having rung the St. Nicholas unit I was informed my appointment was the following Tuesday, only a few days away. I explained I had no preparation pack and was told I would receive it in post the following day. I asked if this could be ensured given difficulties with post. I was reassured the package would arrive and it duly did along with the original one which had been sent out on 14th January (taking two weeks to arrive).I took the PCR which came back as a negative result on Sunday morning and proceeded to take the medication required in preparation for my procedure. After a horrendous night I duly turned up for my appointment, having been driven by a good friend (I am widowed and live alone.). On arrival my temperature was taken. (There was no forewarning of this in the literature provided).I was then informed my temperature was elevated and the procedure was cancelled. I was offered no further testing. The nurse told me that they had received a number of people with higher temperatures who had all been cancelled. If PCR tests are to be disregarded in this way, why are we given them? I went home and felt feverish and sick. I spent the rest of the day in bed. I took a lateral flow test which was negative. Over the next three days I was continuously in pain, feverish and passing excessive amounts of water. Totally dehydrated I had to resort to taking Dioralyte to replace my electrolytes. I ate nothing for three days. There was no warning in the information on possible after effects of the preparation. I have spoken to many others who have had this procedure and they all agreed that to go through that which I have and not had the colonoscopy is a disgrace.I am now refusing to put myself through this again.I am relatively fit for my age however if I had been frail I think I would have ended up in hospital.I want St Nicholas staff to address the failings in their information and the care taken in considering cancelling much needed procedures. Covid appears to be the only consideration in such decisions. I am disappointed and disgusted with their lack of consideration for the patient in this case and others.

Been there today for an endoscopy. I can't praise enough the professionalism of the Dr and the nurses in the scan room and the reception. They gave me plenty of information and were very helpful throughout the whole procedure.A big thank you to all the team there!

Been twice for a sigmoidoscopy and a colonoscopy and the nurses (particularly ‘S’) and administrator (“P”) were all very friendly and helpful. As someone who was not at all keen in any way, I was informed at all times and any emails I sent through were always addressed. Plenty of parking and good advice for the pre- op medication. Dr S was lovely and listened to me when I said I was uncomfortable and took steps to minimise my pain. I would say my surgery and the unit had a few communicational issues about post procedural Medication which could be addressed by both of them. Dignity respected with sexy gown and crepe shorts so it’s not all on display (with a nice flap at the back). Not a pleasant procedure but I am pleased to have had it done there. It is also easy to access by car and I hate hospitals. Water machine and toilet for guests and magazines.