As part of its range of services, Highgate Hospital is proud to offer a new specialist, one-stop clinic for the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of colorectal conditions.

Managed by a group of specialist Colorectal Surgeons, the particular focus is to ensure that patients with problems related to the bowel receive a comprehensive service and are cared for in a friendly, sensitive and efficient manner. The principle aim is to provide a one-stop service for the majority of patients who will undergo an initial consultation, a telescopic examination of the lower bowel and treatment of the main problem within a few hours. This is supported by the use of the latest equipment maintained to the highest standard.

What treatments are available?

Haemorrhoids
Many people suffer on a daily basis from the symptoms of haemorrhoids, including bleeding, pain, discharge, itching and lumps. This clinic offers the latest treatments to relieve these symptoms and to prevent them returning.

Anal fissure
Pain and bleeding may cause going to the toilet to be an unpleasant experience. The combination of these symptoms is usually due to an anal fissure. Although surgery was previously the only available method to treat this condition, we now have new alternatives to treating an anal fissure without surgery.

One-stop Clinic
Haemorrhoids are often the cause of rectal bleeding. However, with the incidence of bowel cancer rising, it is very important to identify the cause of bleeding without waiting for a series of tests.

The Highgate Colorectal Clinic is able to offer a one-stop clinic to swiftly identify the cause. This means that straight after the consultation, certain patients will undergo a telescopic examination of their large bowel to look for other causes of bleeding including cancer, polyps and inflammation. The telescopic procedures are associated with very little discomfort, with most patients choosing not to have a sedative injection. The advantage is that you are discharged quickly after the procedure with no restriction on your activities for the rest of the day. This particularly applies to driving, which is not allowed until the day after your procedure if you receive a sedative injection. Every effort will be made to ensure that your procedure is performed safely and that any discomfort is minimised. We understand that you may be anxious and will try our best to make sure that you feel comfortable and safe.

Faecal incontinence
Although it can be embarrassing for wind or even motion to escape from the bottom without control, patients should know that there are many available treatments. This clinic offers assessment and a course of management for these distressing symptoms.

Inflammatory bowel disease
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are common inflammatory disease conditions that can affect the bowel. This clinic offers a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.

Further information
Prior to coming for any procedure, it is important that you receive all the necessary information about the procedure that you are about to undergo. If your questions are still unanswered, then please contact your referring doctor or alternatively ask your Specialist when you attend for your procedure.

The Clinic days are Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6.30 till 9.30 pm .

How do I book an appointment?
Most referrals will be made by your GP but an appointment can be made by simply calling the Outpatients department at Highgate Hospital on 020 8341 4182.