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Northland DHB Gastroenterology Service

Public Service

Today

8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Description

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

A gastroenterologist is a doctor specialising in the management of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver.

Hours

8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Referral Expectations

Your GP will refer you to our service if they are concerned that you have problems that require a specialist gastroenterology consultation regarding the diagnosis or treatment of your condition. You may also be referred directly to the Gastroenterology Department for a specific procedure without a prior clinic appointment.

Waiting times for clinics range from 0-6 months depending on the urgency, which is assessed from the letter we receive from your GP.

Initial clinic appointments will take 40 minutes and any follow up appointment will be 20 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 and depending on your complaints, this could be a rectal examination.  From here you may be referred for more tests and you will be notified of this during the appointment and in writing.

Common Terms / Conditions / Procedures / Treatments

  • Intestines

    Consist of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum – different sections of small intestine) and the large intestine (colon and rectum).  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… More

  • Liver

    Roughly the size of a football the liver is on your right side just under your ribs.… More

  • Oesophagus

    The tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. More

  • Pancreas

    An elongated organ that lies in the back of the mid-abdomen.… More

  • Stomach

    Where food is broken down by acid and emptied into your intestines.… More

  • Bowel Polyp Removal

    Bowel Polyp Removal More

  • Cirrhosis

    Cirrhosis More

  • Colonoscopy

    Colonoscopy 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 (medication to make you drowsy).… More

  • Gastroscopy

    Gastroscopy More

  • Hepatitis

    Hepatitis More

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

    Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 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

  • Peptic Ulcers

    Peptic Ulcer More

  • Polyps

    Polyps More

  • Sigmoidoscopy

    Sigmoidoscopy More

Contact Details

Whangarei Hospital

Northland

Fax (09) 430 4115 during working hours; (09) 430 4132 after hours

Emergency Department: Open 24 hours / 7 days, Phone (09) 430 4100

Feedback, compliments, complaints and suggestions

Medical Outpatients Department
Whangarei Hospital
Maunu Road
Private Bag 9742
Whangarei
Northland 0148

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Street Address

Medical Outpatients Department
Whangarei Hospital
Maunu Road
Private Bag 9742
Whangarei
Northland 0148

Postal Address

Whangarei Hospital
Private Bag 9742
Whangarei 0148

This page was last updated at 11:12AM on February 27, 2019. This information is reviewed and edited by Northland DHB Gastroenterology Service.