Gastroenterology
Overview
Gastroenterology is the study and treatment of the digestive system and digestive problems, including diseases of the intestines, liver and biliary tree, and pancreas. The centre for gastroenterology at the Royal Free London is a multidisciplinary department, offering a range of specialist out-patient and in-patient gastroenterology services as well as state of the art gastrointestinal imaging services. The gastroenterology department also includes gastrointestinal surgery, paediatric gastroenterology, endoscopy services and the Louise Ryan GI physiology unit.
Contact
Do you have an appointment?
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Barnet Hospital
Wellhouse Lane
Barnet
EN5 3DJPatient enquiries: 020 8370 2588 (outpatients)
020 8216 4924 (patient advice and liaison service) -
Chase Farm Hospital
The Ridgeway
Enfield
EN2 8JLPatient enquiries:020 8370 2588 (outpatients)
Endoscopy booking team: 0203 758 2017
020 8216 4924 (patient advice and liaison service)
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Louise Ryan Unit
The Louise Ryan Unit is situated on the lower ground floor at the Royal Free Hospital.
Tel/fax: 020 7830 2923
rf-tr.RFH-LouiseRyanUnit@nhs.net
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm -
Royal Free Hospital
Pond Street
London
NW3 2QGPatient enquiries: 020 7443 9757 (outpatients)
Endoscopy booking team: 0207 794 0500
020 7472 6446/6447 or 020 7472 6445 (patient advice and liaison service)GP enquiries: rf.gastroadmin@nhs.net
Referrals
Referral details
Gastroenterolgy referrals
Referrals are welcomed from local GPs and tertiary referrals from any other hospital. All patients are referred by letter from their GP or from other specialists seeking a further opinion. Referrals can also be made via choose and book (CAB).
The centralisation of colorectal services has not changed the referral patterns for GPs or other referrers to the service. Patients can continue to be referred to a particular consultant at a particular hospital. To avoid delay GP referrals should be addressed to a colorectal consultant surgeon or a named consultant surgeon.
Please note, the endoscopy dept at the Royal Free Hospital does not accept direct access referrals to the endoscopy department. However, GPs can refer to the one-stop dyspepsia clinic for direct access upper gastroscopy procedure via paper or CAB referrals.
Referrals to the gastroenterology team will be reviewed by a clinician and one of the following next steps will take place:
- You will receive an out-patient appointment at one of our hospitals
- You will receive an appointment for a test or an investigation before your first out-patient appointment. This will mean faster diagnosis and treatment
- You and your GP will receive a letter explaining how best to manage your symptoms. One of our clinicians has reviewed your symptoms and does not think you need to attend an out-patient appointment
A referral from your GP will not automatically lead to an out-patient appointment at one of our hospitals. Further information about what to expect when you are referred to the Royal Free London can be found on our out-patient page.
If you have any questions about your referral, please contact:
Royal Free Hospital | rf.gastroadmin@nhs.net |
Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals | rf-tr.barnetgastrocas@nhs.net |
Louise Ryan referrals
The majority of gastrointestinal physiology tests are not first line tests and patients will usually already be under the care of consultant within one of our hospitals.
We accept referrals from other hospitals using our referral form (link coming soon) or a referral letter which provides the essential information. Our preferred method of receipt is by secure email (NHSmail) as this is the quickest route. Referrals can also be faxed to 020 7830 2923 or sent by post.
The Team
Consultant
Dr Kalpesh Besherdas
Consultant gastroenterologist
Email address: Kalpesh.Besherdas@nhs.net
PA/secretary phone number: 020 8375 1540
PA/secretary email address: Karen.Winston@nhs.net
Professor Martyn Caplin
Professor of gastroenterology and neuroendocrine
PA/secretary phone number: 020 78302 867
PA/secretary email address: rf.netadmin@nhs.net
Private practice phone number: 07495 839 886
Dr Daniel Crespi
Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist,
Honorary Clinical Associate Professor, UCL Medical School
Phone number: 0207 830 2782 or 0207 794 0500 ext 33066
PA/secretary phone number: 020 7830 2782
PA/secretary email address: sue.hempstead@nhs.net; connie.mattina@nhs.net
Fax: 020 7830 2146
Private practice phone number: 0207 317 7751 or 0795 655 0446
Private practice email address: rf.privateenquiries@nhs.net; contact@kidsgastrocare.co.uk
Dr Edward J Despott
Consultant gastroenterologist and GI endoscopist
PA/secretary phone number: 020 7794 0500 ext 38814
PA/secretary email address: nadine.mclaren@nhs.net
Private practice phone number: 020 7794 0500 ext 38814/07599 104 983
Private practice email address: rf.despottprivatepractice@nhs.net
Dr Mark Furman
Consultant paediatric gastroenterologist(Clinical lead for paediatric gastroenterology)
Phone number: 020 7830 2782
PA/secretary email address: sue.hempstead@nhs.net
Fax: 020 7830 2146
Private practice phone number: 07788 444 046
Dr Steven Mann
Consultant gastroenterologist
Phone number: 020 8216 4982
Email address: steve.mann@nhs.net
Fax: 020 8216 4219
Dr Charles Murray
Consultant gastroenterologist
PA/secretary phone number: 020 3758 2000 ext 33990
Dr Kwok Tang
Consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist
Email address: k.tang@nhs.net
PA/secretary phone number: 020 8216 5487
PA/secretary email address: zoe.senior@nhs.net
Fax: 020 8216 4219
Dr Christos Toumpanakis
Consultant in gastroenterology and neuroendocrine tumours
Honorary Associate Professor UCL
PA/secretary phone number: 020 78302 867
PA/secretary email address: rf.netadmin@nhs.net
Private practice phone number: 020 78302 867
Private practice email address: charmane.pindura@nhs.net
Mr Massimo Varcada
Consultant surgeonHonorary senior lecturer surgery
Phone number: 020 7794 0500 ext 38707
Email address: massimo.varcada@nhs.net
PA/secretary phone number: 020 7794 0500 ext 38666
PA/secretary email address: patricia.o'donoghue@nhs.net
Fax: 020 7317 7712
Patient leaflets
Read our patient leaflets and publications
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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patient initiated follow-up (PIFU) - Barnet Hospital
.pdf (294 KB)
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Helping patients own their inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
.pdf (169 KB)
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Starting biologic medication
.pdf (291 KB)
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Lactose intolerance test
.pdf (263 KB)
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Bactrial overgrowth test
.pdf (264 KB)
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Silver nitrate for the topical treatment of stomal granulomas
.pdf (167 KB)
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Gastrostomy tube placement
.pdf (320 KB)
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Gastro FGD Symptom Evaluation
.pdf (298 KB)
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Approved: 24/11/2021
Having an upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy
.pdf (159 KB)
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Approved: 25/10/2021
Having a flexible sigmoidoscopy (examination of your bowel) with bowel preparation
.pdf (158 KB)
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Approved: 25/10/2021
Having a colonoscopy (examination of your large bowel)
.pdf (176 KB)
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Approved: 01/11/2019
24hour pH study and impedance study: patient diary/symptom tracker
.pdf (275 KB)
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Approved: 07/09/2020
Oesophageal manometry test and 24 hour pH study (on medication)
.pdf (457 KB)
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Approved: 07/09/2020
Discharge advice following an oesophageal manometry test and 24 hour pH study
.pdf (266 KB)
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Approved: 07/09/2020
Oesophageal manometry test and 24 hour pH study
.pdf (182 KB)
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Approved: 01/11/2019
Oesophageal manometry test
.pdf (448 KB)