Hospital open day for cancer care

The staff, who also provide a range of gastro-intestinal and therapeutic services, will throw open the doors on Saturday May 10 between 10am and 1pm.

Visitors will be able to tour the unit, watch doctors using simulators, and get the chance to talk to a dietician, as well as colorectal and inflammatory bowel experts.

There will be videos for people to watch and a wide range of information available, including details on bowel cancer screening and inflammatory bowel disease.

An endoscopy is a procedure where the inside of your body is examined using a small camera. They are often performed when people have on-going digestive, swallowing or bowel problems. Procedures include colonoscopy, gastroscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Consultant Gastroenterologist Gary Mackenzie said: “We are really aware of how anxious people are before their procedures. They worry they might choke, not be able to breath properly, or they are just embarrassed.”

He added: “Privacy and dignity are really important to all of us. If someone has a problem the quicker they find out about it the easier the treatments are and the more likely it is to be successful.”

The team also runs clinics at Crawley Hospital each week.