Our newly upgraded Endoscopy department features enhanced facilities at the hospital site. This improvement will help reduce patient waiting times, allowing us to meet national standards of two weeks for urgent referrals (including suspected cancer) and six weeks for routine referrals. The department is equipped with the latest technology to provide high-quality diagnoses for various conditions.

We collaborate closely with our Radiology team, which provides essential support for various procedures. In gastroenterology, these radiological procedures encompass X-rays, CT scans, and other imaging techniques aimed at examining the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This partnership enhances our ability to diagnose and treat gastric conditions effectively.

In the Gastroenterology ward, diet is very important, especially for patients with liver conditions and eating disorders. We conduct thorough assessments to evaluate their MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) score, which helps us determine their nutritional risk. Based on the results of this analysis, we make referrals to our dietetics team for specialised support and guidance in nutrition. This ensures that individuals receive personalised dietary recommendations and interventions tailored to their specific needs, promoting better health outcomes.

We hold a weekly multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting with our hepatobiliary (HPB) team. During these meetings, we review a caseload of patients and tailor treatment plans to meet their individual needs. Hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) medicine is a specialised field that focuses on treating diseases and disorders of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts.

Dr Gaglia

Dr Bharucha

Dr Morgan

Dr Kong

Dr Miller

Dr Scott

Dr White

Functions of Albumin:

1. Maintaining Fluid Balance: Albumin acts as a keystone in regulating the distribution of fluids throughout the body. By keeping fluid from leaking out of blood vessels, it helps prevent swelling in surrounding tissues and ensures that the body's organs are adequately perfused with blood.

2. Transporting Essential Substances: This versatile protein is responsible for carrying a variety of crucial molecules throughout the bloodstream. It transports hormones that regulate bodily functions, vitamins that are essential for health, enzymes that facilitate biochemical reactions, calcium which is vital for cell signalling, and bilirubin, a product of red blood cell breakdown.

3. Providing Amino Acids: Albumin serves as a reservoir of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, which the body can use for various physiological processes, including tissue repair and growth.

How are Albumin Levels Tested?

To assess the levels of albumin in your body, a healthcare provider may perform an albumin blood test. This test quantifies the amount of albumin in your blood, specifically analyzing the serum, which is the clear liquid component that separates from blood when it clots. In addition to blood tests, albumin levels can also be evaluated through urine tests, which can provide insights into kidney function.

What Do Abnormal Albumin Levels Indicate?

Low Levels: A decreased level of albumin in the blood may signal underlying health issues such as liver or kidney disease, malnutrition, or other medical conditions that hinder the body’s ability to produce or retain this important protein, potentially leading to complications like oedema or ascites.

High Levels: Conversely, elevated albumin levels can indicate situations such as severe dehydration, where the concentration of protein in the blood increases due to a reduction in plasma volume, or excessive venous stasis, which occurs when blood flow is impeded, causing a backup of blood in the veins.

Understanding and monitoring albumin levels are essential for assessing overall health and diagnosing potential medical conditions.

Only trained personnel are allowed to collect Albumin from the blood bank.

This supplement is available in two primary forms: tablets and liquid. The tablet form is often preferred for its convenience and ease of use, while the liquid form may be recommended for individuals who have difficulty swallowing pills or for specific age groups, such as young children. It is important to follow the dosage instructions provided by your healthcare provider to avoid any potential side effects. Additionally, taking ferrous sulfate with vitamin C may enhance iron absorption, further aiding in the treatment of anemia.

Several factors can contribute to low iron levels, including chronic blood loss due to menstruation or gastrointestinal issues, increased iron demands during pregnancy, and a diet that is low in iron-rich foods. When the body's iron supply becomes inadequate, it can lead to anaemia, which may cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and pale skin.

By taking ferrous fumarate, individuals can replenish their iron stores, helping to restore healthy red blood cell production and improve overall oxygen delivery in the body. This treatment can be particularly important for populations at higher risk of iron deficiency, such as pregnant individuals, vegetarians, and those with certain medical conditions that affect iron absorption.

Additionally, it is used to manage arthritis by decreasing joint inflammation and pain, thus improving mobility. For individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, hydrocortisone can provide relief from inflammation in the digestive tract.

Hydrocortisone is also crucial for individuals with adrenal insufficiency, where the body does not produce enough cortisol. In such cases, it serves as a replacement therapy to maintain normal physiological functions. Furthermore, it may be utilized in the treatment of certain blood or bone marrow disorders, where its anti-inflammatory effects can support recovery and improve overall health.

The medication works by suppressing inflammation and modulating the immune system, making it a versatile treatment option in various medical scenarios.

• Parking at Stepping Hill Hospital can be difficult 

• Allow enough time to park and move around the hospital 

• Parking fees for students are FREE. Please get in touch with the number below for permits and information.

  
  

  
  

  Contact our Travel Department

  Telephone: 0161 419 5032

  Opening times: Mon-Fri 8:30-4:00pm. 

  How to find us: Our travel office is located off the main hospital corridor in the Rowan Suite.

Ward Sister: Emily Darbyshire

• MDCU is a day case unit primarily looking after gastroenterology patients, with some respiratory and urology patients. We look after patients requiring day case procedures likes ascitic drains, ERCP's, nephrostomy exchanges and biopsies. We also offer outpatient clinics for Venesection, Fibroscan and venepuncture. Your role will be to assist your colleagues with bloods, ECG's and observations.

• MDCU is a nurse led unit with specialities and interests in Gastroenterology. We also facilitate Respiratory procedures; provide pre and post op care as well as managing our own clinics.

• C5 aim is to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions by providing safe and efficient care within the day case environment.

Endoscopy procedures are conducted at Stepping Hill Hospital each year, including colonoscopies, gastroscopies, bronchoscopies, and more. Our endoscopy service offers diagnostic examinations for both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts, as well as lung investigations.

Both inpatient and outpatient services are provided.

Contact: shh.dietitians.adult@stockport.nhs.uk

The dietetic team is available on the ward Monday through Friday and is an integral part of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) that conducts comprehensive assessments of patients' nutritional requirements. In the field of gastroenterology, proper nutrition is essential in facilitating optimal patient recovery and overall health outcomes.

Nursing staff play a vital role in this process by identifying patients needing nutritional support and completing a referral to dietetic services. Once the referral is submitted, the dietetics team will review the cases during their daily post-ward round meetings. This collaborative approach ensures that each patient receives tailored nutritional guidance and interventions based on their specific medical conditions and recovery goals.

Contact: 0161 483 1010

Radiology is a specialised branch of medicine that focuses on diagnosing diseases and medical conditions through the use of advanced imaging techniques. These techniques include X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and nuclear medicine. Each of these modalities provides unique insights into the body's internal structures, allowing healthcare professionals to identify abnormalities and assess the severity of various medical issues.

In addition to diagnosis, radiology plays a crucial role in guiding therapeutic interventions. For instance, imaging techniques can help in precisely locating tumours or other target areas during surgical procedures, enabling more accurate and effective treatments. Moreover, certain radiological procedures, such as interventional radiology, allow healthcare providers to perform minimally invasive treatments using imaging guidance. This dual capability of radiology—diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic intervention—makes it an indispensable component of modern healthcare.

The radiology services at Stepping Hospital comprise the following:

• Emergency radiography

• CT scanning

• Magnetic  Resonance Imaging

• General radiography

• Radionuclide imaging (Nuclear Medicine)

• Ultrasound scanning - abdominal, musculoskeletal & obstetric

• Interventional Radiology

• Fluoroscopy

Two advanced clinical practitioners at Stepping Hill Hospital have been awarded a national honour for their project aimed at accelerating the diagnosis and treatment of patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Rachel Campbell and Callula Nulty received the Richard Driscoll Memorial Award from the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership in Sheffield this November 2024. Their joint effort involved the development of a new pathway designed to expedite IBD diagnosis.

In contrast, an eating problem encompasses a broader range of issues related to food and eating behaviours. This may include a variety of difficulties, such as emotional eating, restrictive diets, or other behaviours that affect one’s relationship with food. Importantly, not every eating problem meets the criteria to be classified as an eating disorder, as some individuals may struggle with their eating habits without it being severe enough to warrant a medical diagnosis.

Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, represent a specific subset of eating problems that have been formally recognized and diagnosed by medical professionals. These disorders often require specialized treatment and support, as they can lead to serious health complications and significantly affect an individual’s quality of life.