Upper gastrointestinal (UGI)

The department offers a comprehensive range of services for the management of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) disease.

Benign upper GI surgery

We provide advanced laparoscopic (key-hole) surgery for gallstone disease, hernias and gastrooesophageal reflux disease/hiatus hernias. We also offer innovative surgical techniques such as SILS (Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery). We aim for all our gallbladder and hernia surgery to be done as day surgery, unless there are significant underlying medical problems.

The upper GI team are all active members of Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons of GB and the Association of Upper GI Surgeons of GB and believe in providing services based on best clinical evidence.

Upper gastrointestinal cancers

SASH has facilities to investigate and diagnose upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancers; oesophagagastric (OG) cancers of oesophagus and stomach; and hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) cancers of the pancreas, liver and biliary system.

The service includes:

Radiology – includes ultrasound scanning, multi slice CT scanners, MRI, and facilities for interventional radiology
A full pathology service – chemical pathology, microbiology, histopathology and associated pathology services
Daily endoscopy sessions at East Surrey Hospital and Crawley Hospital
Access to radiological scanning equipment within the endoscopy suite, which is available for procedures including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCPs) and stenting

All new patients with proven and/or suspected UGI malignancy are discussed at the weekly UGI multidisciplinary team meeting, along with patients undergoing specialist investigations and patients whose condition has altered which may results in changes in management. Dr Jonathan Stenner is the Clinical Lead for the UGI MDT.

All patients requiring complex investigations or surgery for OG and HPB cancer are referred to the specialist teams at Royal Surrey County Hospital (RSCH). OG cancers are referred to the specialist team, led by Mr Preston. HPB cancers are referred to the specialist team, led by Professor Karanjia.

All patients requiring chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy are treated at the St Luke’s Cancer Centre (SLCC) in Guildford, or the St Luke’s Radiotherapy Centre at East Surrey Hospital.

Features of the unit

A multidisciplinary team of surgeons, gastroenterologists, clinical oncologist and specialist nurses
Availability of clinical trials for promising new therapies
Utilisation of expert histopathology, radiology and nuclear medicine services, including MRI and PET/CT
Close links with palliative care services
Close links to The Royal Surrey County Hospital and St Luke’s Cancer Centre which is the designated Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire Cancer Network centre for upper gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery

Follow-up

Follow-up arrangements will depend on the individual patient’s clinical need and circumstances. Clinic attendances will usually alternate between St. Luke’s Cancer Centre and outpatient clinics at Royal Surrey County Hospital, but where possible appointments will be arrange locally at East Surrey or Crawley Hospital.

UGI Macmillan clinical nurse specialists

Shelley Gravatt and Tina Dela Cruz are available Monday to Friday 8am – 4pmTel: 01737 768 511 x686

If they are not in the office, please leave a message and they will call you back as soon as they are able to.

Referrals

All GP referral letters, except those referred though the Choose & Book System or Two Week Rule method, should be sent direct to:

Outpatient Booking OfficeEast Surrey HospitalCanada AvenueRedhill, Surrey RH1 5RH

Please do not send these direct to a consultant, medical secretary or any other department. You can of course make the actual outpatient referral letter out to a specific consultant. The Outpatient Booking Office is responsible for processing ALL referrals for outpatient appointments, which then initiates the patient’s 18 week RTT status.

Outpatient referrals made under the TWO WEEK RULE method should be faxed immediately to 01737 231 733.