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Auckland Gastroenterology Associates

Private Service

Today

8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Description

Auckland Gastroenterology Associates is New Zealand's leading Gastroenterology and Hepatology group practice offering comprehensive consultative and endoscopy services.

 

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine that looks at diseases of the oesophagus (gullet), stomach, small and large intestines (bowel), liver, gallbladder and pancreas. 

The oesophagus is the tube that joins your mouth with your stomach. It is a muscular tube that contracts to push the food through when you swallow.

The stomach is where food is broken down by acid and emptied into your intestines. The stomach has special cells lining its wall to protect it from these acids.

The intestines consist of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum – different sections of small intestine) and the large intestine (colon).  As food passes through the small intestine, nutrients are broken down and absorbed.  When it passes into the colon, water is absorbed.  The waste that is left is passed as faeces (stool).

The liver is roughly the size of a football and is on your right side just under your ribs. It stores vitamins, sugar and iron which are used by cells in the body for energy.It also clears the body of waste products and drugs, produces substances that are used to help blood clot and aid the immune system, and produces bile which aids in digestion.

The pancreas is an elongated organ that lies in the back of the mid-abdomen. It is responsible for producing digestive juices and certain hormones, including insulin, the main hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar.

 

A gastroenterologist is a doctor specialising in the field of medicine which involves these closely related organs.

 

Consultants

Hours

8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Mon – Thu8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Fri8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Referral Expectations

Your GP or specialist will refer you to Auckland Gastroenterology Associates if they are concerned that you have problems that require a specialist opinion regarding the diagnosis or treatment of any gastrointestinal or liver symptoms or disease. 
Waiting times range from 1-2 weeks depending on urgency, which is assessed from the letter we receive from your GP, and the availability of a particular gastroenterologist.
Before coming to our clinic, you may be asked to undergo tests such as blood tests, urine tests or stool tests (you collect a sample of your urine or stool for analysis).
Consultations last 30-60 minutes.  A history of your symptoms will be taken as well as a review of any medications you are on (please bring these with you).  You will then be examined which may involve, depending on your complaints, a rectal examination and/or sigmoidosopy examination.  This involves the insertion of the doctor’s finger or a tube into your bottom to examine the inside.
You may be referred on for further tests, ultrasound scan, CT scan, MRI scan or endoscopy, depending on your condition.

Common Conditions / Procedures / Treatments

  • Colonoscopy

    This is a procedure which allows the doctor to see inside your large bowel and examine the surfaces directly and take biopsies (samples of tissue) if needed.  Treatment of conditions can also be undertaken.… More

  • Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography (ERCP)

    A flexible tube with a tiny video camera attached (endoscope) is inserted through the mouth into the stomach and small intestine while you are under sedation (you have been given medication to make you drowsy).… More

  • Gastroscopy

    This is a procedure which allows the doctor to see inside your oesophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum) and examine the lining directly. … More

  • Liver Biopsy

    The best way to establish what type of liver disease is present and the extent of the disease, is a biopsy.… More

  • Oesophageal pH/Impedance Examination

    Sometimes the diagnosis of acid reflux can be difficult to confirm or refute.  Gastroscopy is the key test but this is often normal even when there are significant reflux symptoms.  If the symptoms are typical and there is a good response to medication (usually Losec or Somac) then there is… More

  • Wireless Capsule Endoscopy "Pillcam"

    What is a Wireless Capsule Endoscopy?
    Capsule endoscopy is a new and minimally invasive procedure to visualize the entire small intestine.… More

  • Cirrhosis

    Cirrhosis is the term used to describe a diseased liver that has been severely damaged, usually due to many years of injury.… More

  • Coeliac Disease

    Coeliac disease (also called gluten sensitive enteropathy) is a condition in which the lining of the small intestine is abnormal but improves once gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye and barley) is removed from the diet.  Damage to the lining can lead to impaired absorption of nutrients.… More

  • Colon cancer and polyps

    For further information see the New Zealand Guidelines Group website:… More

  • Fatty Liver

    What is fatty liver?
    Fatty liver is not a liver disease as such.… More

  • Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)

    Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a disease in which acid from the stomach flows back (refluxes) into the oesophagus (gullet) causing irritation and sometimes damage to the lining of the oesophagus. … More

  • Haemochromatosis

    Haemochromatosis is an hereditary condition in which excess iron is absorbed from the intestinal tract.… More

  • Hepatitis

    This is inflammation of the liver, commonly caused by viruses.  Hepatitis B and C are viruses that can cause chronic (long term) inflammation and damage to the liver.… More

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

    There are two types of IBD, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.  In these conditions, the immune system attacks the lining of the colon causing inflammation and ulceration, bleeding and diarrhoea.  In ulcerative colitis this only involves the large intestine, whereas in Crohn’s disease areas within the entire intestine can be… More

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome

    Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disturbance of bowel motility that results in intermittent and recurrent pain / discomfort and altered bowel habit.  There are considerable differences between individuals in the severity and consequences of symptoms.… More

  • Peptic Ulcers

    Peptic ulcers are sores or eroded areas that form in the lining of the digestive tract.… More

Charges

  • Initial referred consultation  $365
  • Follow-up consultation $150
  • Immigration consultation $365

 

 

We are a Southern Cross Affiliated Provider for Gastroenterology (digestive system) services.  This includes:

  • Capsule endoscopy
  • Oesophageal 24hr pH monitoring
  • Physician assessment
  • Physician follow-up
  • Sigmoidoscopy

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Parking

Free parking is available within the hospital grounds.

Pharmacy

MercyAscot Pharmacy situated in the hospital.

Contact Details

Mercy Specialist Centre, 100 Mountain Road, Epsom, Auckland

Central Auckland

Online GP referral form

Auckland Gastroenterology Associates
Entrance D, Mercy Specialist Centre
100 Mountain Road
Epsom
Auckland 1023

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Street Address

Auckland Gastroenterology Associates
Entrance D, Mercy Specialist Centre
100 Mountain Road
Epsom
Auckland 1023

Postal Address

Mercy Specialist Centre
100 Mountain Road
Epsom
Auckland 1023

This page was last updated at 10:26AM on June 14, 2019. This information is reviewed and edited by Auckland Gastroenterology Associates.