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Capsule endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy is a highly advanced, painless procedure used to investigate the health of your digestive system.

What is a capsule endoscopy?

Capsule endoscopy is a highly advanced, painless procedure used to investigate the health of your digestive system.

It involves swallowing a small capsule containing a tiny wireless camera, which then moves through your digestive tract, sending images to a small computer worn on your waist. These images provide your consultant with a detailed picture of your digestive system and any problems.

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Who is suitable for capsule endoscopy?

If you are experiencing rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, chronic diarrhoea, or other intestinal problems, your gastroenterologist may recommend a capsule endoscopy to: 

  • investigate these symptoms and problems 
  • screen for cancer 
  • diagnose inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease 
  • check for any growths or polyps

Capsule endoscopy helps your consultant to see inside your small intestine, an area of the body that is hard to reach in traditional endoscopy procedures. 

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What can you do to prepare for capsule endoscopy?

Your consultant will discuss with you how you can prepare. You may be asked to avoid eating and drinking before the procedure, and in some cases, to take a laxative to clear your small intestine. This can help to improve the quality and detail of the pictures collected by the capsule's camera. 

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What is the recovery period?

Capsule endoscopy is very safe. You should be able to go home soon after swallowing the capsule. It will normally leave your body in a bowel movement a day or two after swallowing. Very rarely capsules can become stuck in the digestive tract, and will need to be removed by your consultant.     

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Self-pay package

As well as working with all major insurance companies, we also welcome patients who wish to pay for themselves.

Below is an outline of our self-pay hospital package which includes tests, hospital stay, and procedure. It does not include consultant fees, which may vary.   

  • Hospital package from £1,835
  • Indicative consultant fees from £330 

When enquiring about this package, please quote G8080E.

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  • recovery in the endoscopy suite
  • endoscopy procedure and relevant endoscopy chargeable consumables
  • pre-procedure bowel preparation, if required
  • histology testing (analysis of specimens if taken and if included in package description)
  • consultant consultation fee  
  • post-op and discharge medication 
  • neurophysiology, dietician, physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy 
  • non-standard diagnostic and histology tests 
  • any additional costs not specified in the package inclusions  

Contact Self-Pay

Call our dedicated Self-Pay team to make an enquiry, request a quote, or book an appointment.

+44 (0)20 7244 4886

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