Colorectal Surgery

Colorectal Surgery Consultants

Colorectal Service at Vale Healthcare

Vale Healthcare provides a specialist Colorectal Service. This service offers comprehensive assessment and management of Colorectal conditions and symptoms, and provides patients with expert care delivered in a friendly and welcoming environment.

NEW - From January 2013 Vale Healthcare is launching it's One-Stop Rectal Bleeding Clinic - providing rapid access appointments and diagnosis in a same day visit - find out more…

The Colorectal team

The Colorectal Consultant team at Vale Healthcare offers the best possible assessment of colorectal and general surgical conditions with the support of radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, nurses and other experienced health professionals.

Colorectal Surgery at Vale Healthcare - treating all colorectal symptoms and conditions, based in Cardiff in south Wales The team of consultant surgeons are available to diagnose and manage the full range of colorectal symptoms and conditions. Their areas of expertise include:

Laparoscopic or minimally invasive colorectal surgery
Colorectal cancer
Inflammatory bowel disease
Rapid access diagnostic clinics
Pelvic floor disorders
Proctology

Colorectal surgeons are experts in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of bowel problems. They have completed advanced training in the management of bowel disease in addition to full training in general surgery. Colorectal surgeons diagnose and treat benign (non cancerous) bowel conditions as well as bowel cancer, with various treatments including surgery where necessary.

What to expect at the Colorectal Clinic

Whether you have referred yourself, or been referred by a GP or other medical specialist, the consultant surgeon will discuss the nature of your problem and any other relevant information, such as your general medical history and family history. An examination will follow, where a nurse will be present on request.

The colorectal clinic is open to patients with medical insurance and those who self-pay. If you are an insured patient you will most likely require a GP referral (have visited your GP) before you attend the colorectal clinic.

Colorectal Cancer

Any of the following symptoms should be investigated urgently:

Rectal bleeding and change in bowel habit age>40
Rectal bleeding without anal symptoms age>60
Persistent change in bowel habit ( more than 6 weeks) age >60
Iron deficient anaemia without obvious cause
Palpable abdominal or rectal mass

Source: NICE Guidance 2005

Colorectal cancer screening

The earlier that bowel cancer is detected the higher the likelihood of cure given timely treatment. Bowel cancer does not cause symptoms in its earliest stages.

The possibility of bowel cancer increases with increasing age, if there is a family history of bowel cancer or if there is a personal history of colonic polyps or inflammatory bowel disease. We can offer a risk assessment for colorectal cancer taking these factors into account and advise if screening for bowel cancer is appropriate for you.

Colorectal Conditions

The following are colorectal conditions / disorders that can be assessed and treated at Vale Healthcare's Colorectal clinic. Click on the links below for more information on each condition.

Colorectal Symptoms

The following are symptoms that are associated with colorectal disease and warrant specialist assessment. Click on the links below for more information on each symptom.

Colorectal Investigations

Once you have had a consultation appointment, Your consultant may advise that you need an investigative procedure, to find out more about your condition.

All investigations noted below are performed at Vale Healthcare (on-site), either at our Cardiff Bay Clinic or at the Vale Hospital.

Common investigations for colorectal symptoms (click on the links below for more information):