Gastroenterology Services Tasmania

Your local trusted health care specialists.

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About
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Services
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Referrals

About

At Gastroenterology Services Tasmania, we strive to provide quality, accessible and affordable care and services for our patients.

We focus on the patient as a whole person, treating gut problems using traditional therapies as well as collaborating with allied health specialists for the physical and psychological aspects.

Our direct access endoscopy service allows suitable patients to be referred by their GP directly for gastroscopy and/or colonoscopy without having to undergo a consultation in rooms prior, thus fast-tracking the investigative procedure.

Services
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Dr Mark Veldhuis

Dr Veldhuis practices gastroenterology in the broadest of terms with an interest specifically in Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis. Other active areas include quality gastroscopy, colonoscopy and capsule endoscopy. He enjoys general gastroenterology with interests throughout the gastroenterology field.

Dr Nick Shackel

Dr Shackel is an active endoscopist undertaking gastroscopy and colonoscopy including National Bowel Cancer screening. Dr Shackel manages highly complex patients and his approach to medicine is focused on patient wishes and good communication. Nick has pursued a career managing all aspect of liver disease with leading roles in developing guidelines and national policy on managing hepatitis and liver cancer.

Dr Andrew Buckle

Andrew Buckle is a general gastroenterologist and hepatologist. He is an expert endoscopist who specialises in bowel screening, high-risk family histories and those with a personal history of gastrointestinal cancer. He arrives in Launceston from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital to improve local services in gastrointestinal cancer prevention and genetics, coeliac disease, mucosal immunology, and complex nutrition.

gastroenterology services tasmania reception team

Reception Team

Jade, Kate and Denise are a highly professional team dedicated to providing you with care and assistance to make your experience with us as easy and pleasant as possible.

Services

Consultation

Consultation with a specialist gastroenterologist is the best way to reach an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment for your condition. Your specialist will discuss details regarding your symptoms and other medical history and perform a physical examination if necessary. Further tests may be recommended if required. A current referral from your GP is required. We offer specialist care in a range of gastrointestinal and liver conditions including:

  • Colorectal (Bowel) cancer screening

  • Iron Deficiency Anaemia

  • Oesophageal and gastric disorders

    • Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, oesophageal dysmotility, peptic ulcer disease

  • Coeliac disease and food intolerances

  • Inflammatory bowel diseases

    • Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis

  • Functional gut disorders

    • Irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, non-ulcer dyspepsia

  • Viral hepatitis

  • Alcohol-related liver disease

  • Metabolic liver disease

    • Fatty liver disease, haemochromatosis

  • Autoimmune liver diseases

    • Autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis

Gastroscopy

Gastroscopy (or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy) is a procedure to inspect the oesophagus (food pipe), stomach and duodenum (first part of the small bowel) using a thin, flexible tube with a camera. The procedure is performed under sedation, takes approximately 20 minutes and allows biopsis (tissue samples) to be taken and sent to a pathologist if required.

Download Gastroscopy patient information sheet – click below

Download

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is a procedure to inspect the inside of the colon (large bowel) using a thin, flexible, tube introduced via the rectum (back passage). It is usually performed under sedation and usually takes between 20-40 minutes. Biopsies (small tissue samples) can be taken and polyps (small growths) can be removed at the time if necessary. Colonoscopy is the best test to assess for bowel cancer or pre-cancerous polyps although no test is 100% accurate.

Haemorroid Banding

Banding haemorrhoids is a common procedure for moderately sized haemorrhoids and is usually done at the time of colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy. A tight elastic band is applied around the internal section of your haemorrhoid, cutting off the blood supply. The haemorrhoid falls off relieving your symptoms within 10-14 days.

Download Colonoscopy patient information sheet – click below

Download

Capsule Endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy (also known as PillCam or wireless endoscopy) is a relatively new technology designed to examine the small intestine/bowel. It is often used in patients with unexplained iron deficiency to determine if there is any bleeding in the small intestine. The test involves swallowing a capsule (about the size of a jelly bean) which contains a tiny camera that takes multiple digital images as it travels through the small intestine. The images are transmitted to a data recorder worn in a harness around the waist. The capsule does not need to be retrieved as it is usually passed unnoticed into your stools. Capsule endoscopy is a day procedure. No sedation or anaesthetic is required.

Download capsule endoscopy patient information sheet – click below

Download

Manometry Studies

Oesophageal manometry is an outpatient test used to identify problems with movement and pressure in the oesophagus that may lead to problems like heartburn or difficulty/painful swallowing. The oesophagus is the ‘food pipe’ leading from the mouth to the stomach. Manometry measures the strength and muscle coordination of your oesophagus when you swallow.

Some numbing medication is applied to the nose and throat and a tube is guided through your nose into your oesophagus and a computer monitors and records the pressure, strength and pattern of your muscle contractions while you drink small sips of water. The process takes around 30 minutes.

Referrals

Direct access endoscopy is defined as the direct referral of a patient for gastroscopy or colonoscopy without a formal consultation in advance.

Despite offering patients rapid access, direct access endoscopy is not suitable for all patients, particularly those with significant co-morbidities which might impact on pre-procedure advice, pre-procedure medication management, or even the most appropriate setting (day procedure centre or larger hospital) for the procedure.

Patients NOT eligible for this category include:

  • Patients with significant cardiac disease (e.g. severe aortic
    stenosis, mechanical valve replacement, pulmonary
    hypertension, decompensated cardiac failure, or poorly
    controlled ischaemic heart disease)
  • Significant airway’s disease
  • Severe obstructive sleep apnoea
  • Poorly controlled insulin dependent diabetes.

Special consideration may need to be given to:

  • Morbidly obese patients (BMI>40kg/m2)
  • Patients on warfarin or other anti-coagulants and blood
    thinners
  • Any elderly patient with significant frailty, particularly nursing
    home patients or patients with significant mobility issues
  • A patient’s social circumstances, for example an elderly patient living alone may not be suitable to take colonoscopy bowel preparation without adequate supervision due to the risk of falls.

Patients who are unsuitable for direct access endoscopy should be initially referred for a formal consultation to discuss all aspects of the proposed endoscopic procedure.

Download referral form for consultation/procedures or direct access endoscopy – click below

Download

Contact Us

(03) 6334 1455 (03) 6334 2589 reception@gstasmania.com.au

Consultations

52 Elphin Rd, Newstead

Procedures Calvary

St Vincents Hospital – Frederick St, Launceston

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