GASTROENTEROLOGY

The gastroenterology departments at Ipswich and Colchester Hospital provide a variety of services for the management of gastrointestinal disorders including inflammatory bowel disease, oesophageal diseases, hepato-pancreatic diseases, small bowel disorders and nutrition management. They also provide bowel cancer screening and health promotion programs.

Ipswich Hospital

The gastroenterology department at Ipswich hospital has an inpatient 28-bed ward that is shared with general surgery. There is also a JAG accredited, dedicated endoscopy unit for inpatient and outpatient, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

A major benefit of working in gastroenterology is that it allows collaborations with the multidisciplinary team (MDT) such radiologists, pathologists,

GI surgeons, liver transplant teams, clinical nurse specialists, dieticians, pharmacists and psychologists. The department liaises closely with tertiary units within the East of England and beyond for outreach cancer clinics, liver and intestinal transplantation.

Colchester Hospital

The gastroenterology team at Colchester Hospital is made up of 5 consultants, 2 specialty registrars with training numbers and up to 8 junior doctors (IMT, FY2 and FY1 doctors).

There is a 28-bed inpatient ward that is shared with the renal team. In addition, there is a dedicated endoscopy suite which undertakes flexible sigmoidoscopy, gastroscopy, ERCP, endoscopic ultrasound and colonoscopy.

A typical day for a higher specialty trainee starts with a morning board round, followed by a ward round. The afternoon consists of seeing ward referrals, endoscopy or clinics. Trainees have 2 clinics and 2 endoscopy lists scheduled each week with the opportunity to attend more.

Training Opportunities

ST4 (first year) trainees at Ipswich and Colchester hospitals will receive intensive endoscopy training. This enables trainees to complete their competence in endoscopy by the end of their first year. At Colchester, there is also an onsite simulation suite (ICENI) which provides courses in endoscopy. These simulation facilities can be accessed out of hours for practice.

There are opportunities to take part in national, regional and local audits with excellent guidance. Junior doctors are encouraged and supported to participate in different leadership roles. Our consultants are recognised external examiners and readily give teaching to help prepare trainees for examinations.

The dedicated endoscopy units provide services for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for both upper gastrointestinal (stents, dilatation, PEG, NJ, push enteroscopy),and lower gastrointestinal (ERCP, endoscopic ultrasound, bowel cancer screening service, capsule endoscopy). This provides a wide range of opportunities with guaranteed weekly training lists. Training lists can also be tailored towards an area of interest that a trainee may have, for example ERCP.

Trainees have the opportunity to participate in weekly gastroenterology radiology meetings and the upper GI and hepatobiliary MDTs. There is also the monthly gastroenterology journal club and the clinical governance/M&M meetings. Trainees are encouraged to present at these.

The opportunities available to trainees are limitless. We are supported academically, and clinically with bedside teaching, case-based discussions and taking part in national, regional and local audits with excellent guidance. We are also supported with bedside hands-on procedures such as paracentesis. Junior doctors are encouraged and supported in participation in different leadership roles. Our consultants are recognised external examiners and readily provide teaching to give trainees an edge to ace their examinations.

Dr Obinna Kevin Onwuteaka, ST4 Ipswich Hospital