Rectal Bleed Clinic
Beacon Hospital is delighted to have an established Rapid Access one-stop Rectal Bleed Clinic, lead by Mr R. Kalbassi, Consultant Colorectal, Laparoscopic and General Surgeon.
This clinic combines a consultation with Mr. Kalbassi, with a left colonoscopy (Flexible sigmoidoscopy) +/- banding of Heamorrhoids at the same clinic.
Thanks to the availability of the Rapid Access service, it significantly reduces waiting times, making treatment more convenient and cost effective for the patient.
Rapid Access avoids separate consultation and Endoscopy appointments, i.e. one visit to Hospital, instead of two and a rapid appointment.
Rectal Bleed Clinic
Process:
Following a referral, patients will receive an appointment within 2 weeks at the endoscopy unit. They will receive a phosphate enema to clean/ prepare the left side of the colon on arrival and then have a consultation with Mr. Kalbassi in the consultation room. This will be followed by a left sided colonoscopy in the endoscopy room and treatment if necessary, or further planning if the consultant recommends it.
We at Beacon Hospital, understand the complexities some health issues may rise, and the importance it is to our patients remedy their health problems, in the most effective way possible. Rectal bleeding is extremely common, across all ages. It refers to blood that passes from your anus, although rectal bleeding is usually assumed to refer to bleeding from your lower colon or rectum.
Rectal bleeding can be caused by:
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Anal Fissures
An Anal fissure is a tear in the lining of the anus or anal canal. They can occur in all ages, although the older a person gets, the chance of having one decreases.
The fissure can be very painful and may bleed, making the patient extremely uncomfortable.
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a group of disorders that cause irritation and swelling of the digestive tract.
There are two main diseases that make up IBD, those being Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both diseases cause swelling and sores in the lining of the digestive tract and symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
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Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids are a normal part of our anatomy. We have both internal and external haemorroids, the internal ones being part of the blood supply to the anus and made up of small arterial branches. The external ones being made up of small arterial branches.
In their normal state, we don’t tend to recognize Haemorroids. However, sometimes we can developed problems due swelling, flaring up or blood clots, which can make for a very uncomfortable disease.
This often results in rectal bleeding, which can be manageable or chronic, depending on the person.
Appointments and Referrals:
Any patient who is experiencing fresh, rectal bleeding will be suitable for these clinics. This will not be for cases with melena, stool positive FOB.
All patients should be referred by GP’s by faxing a referral letter directly to Mr. Kalbassi who will triage the referrals to ensure suitability based on symptoms, duration and patients age group.
Mr. Kalbassi is happy to be contacted directly by GP’s to discuss patients and their symptoms if referral or symptoms are not clear Tel. 087 235 5657. Please note that this is a GP ONLY phone number. Patients CANNOT ring this phone number.