Open Access Endoscopy
Streamlined Care for Faster Diagnosis & Treatment
At South East Gastroenterology & Endoscopy, we provide a dedicated Open Access Endoscopy service, designed to improve efficiency and accessibility for patients needing a gastroscopy or colonoscopy. This streamlined pathway allows referring GPs and specialists to directly book endoscopic procedures for their patients—without requiring a prior consultation with a gastroenterologist.
What is Open Access Endoscopy?
Open Access Endoscopy is a referral-based system where patients are booked directly for a procedure—either a gastroscopy, colonoscopy, or both—based on the clinical information provided by the referring doctor. This approach reduces wait times and allows for faster investigation and diagnosis of gastrointestinal conditions.
Who is Eligible?
Open Access Endoscopy is suitable for patients who:
Have straightforward indications for gastroscopy or colonoscopy (e.g. iron deficiency, rectal bleeding, family history of bowel cancer)
Do not have complex medical conditions requiring pre-procedure assessment
Have been evaluated by their GP or referring doctor and meet criteria for safe, direct endoscopic assessment
If there are concerns about medical history or the need for sedation assessment, a pre-procedure consultation may still be required.
Benefits of Open Access Endoscopy
Faster access to essential diagnostic procedures
Reduced waiting time for patients and referrers
Efficient care coordination between GPs and our gastroenterologists
Maintains high-quality, specialist-led care without unnecessary delays
Referring a Patient
Fill the Open Access referral form and send. Once received, our team will:
Review the referral promptly
Contact the patient to schedule the procedure
Provide clear instructions for preparation and follow-up
We keep referrers fully informed with post-procedure reports and results.
