Our process
This page answers some frequently asked questions about booking and attending appointments at Digestive Health UK.
Please remember that this page only discusses how things work at our clinic. To learn the waiting times and processes of other clinics, you should contact them directly.
Booking your appointment
How do I book an appointment?
Booking an appointment is quite straightforward. You can complete our online form or call our clinic at +442074594918. We also have an online booking calendar to book your appointment directly. We offer appointments Monday to Friday, either mornings or afternoons.
What’s the average waiting time for an appointment?
The waiting time for an appointment or endoscopy could be between 1 to 7 days. Please call us to discuss this further or check our online booking calendar.
How much notice should I give if I need to change or cancel my appointment?
We need at least 24 hours notice for any change or cancellation (or by 12 pm Friday if your appointment is on a Monday). Otherwise, you may be charged 100% of the appointment fees.
What are the fees involved?
Please see our Fees page for consultations and endoscopy procedures. Payment will be required at the time of booking. Fees for other tests, such as blood tests, stool tests, and scans, can vary and are set by the hospital, not by our clinic. It also depends on the type of blood or stool test and scans you need. We can only advise on that during your consultation.
What do I do while waiting for an appointment?
There is no need to do anything while waiting for an appointment unless your symptoms worsen significantly. As our average waiting time is between 1 to 7 days, you shouldn’t need to wait long to see a specialist.
What if my symptoms worsen?
We recommend calling your GP, 111, or attending the emergency department if your symptoms worsen while you are waiting, depending on their severity. We do not provide emergency or out-of-house service.
Can I book an emergency appointment?
Contact us if you need an appointment soon. We will do our best to accommodate you. However, please note that we do not offer emergency care.
How many appointments will I need?
You will need at least one appointment as an initial consultation. We won’t know how many appointments you’ll need until we understand the complexity of your problem. However, most people need at least one follow-up consultation. The timing for that will be decided by your doctor at the time of your initial consultation.
Do you offer virtual consultations?
Yes, we offer both face-to-face and virtual consultations.
Attending your appointment
Where is your clinic located?
The London Digestive Centre, 41 Welbeck St, Marylebone, London, W1G 8DT
Dr Sami also provides services at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London:
Mayo Clinic Healthcare, 15 Portland Place, London, W1B 1PT
What can I expect at the consultation?
Our doctor will discuss your symptoms and concerns, so it may help to keep note of the symptoms you experience leading up to your appointment. We also usually perform a clinical examination. After this, we can advise on the possible causes and whether you need further tests or treatments.
Do I need to bring doctor’s notes? What if I don’t have them?
It is preferable to have a GP referral letter but not a must. If you have any previous doctor’s notes or results, please bring these to the appointment. If you can’t bring them or don’t have any, we will recommend and perform any necessary tests. If you are currently taking medication, please bring a list, including the dosage.
Can we discuss more than one issue?
We may not know if your symptoms are related or due to separate issues until after testing. Discuss all the symptoms you are experiencing with our specialist. We will let you know if we think it’s better to have another consultation. Do tell your doctor about any conditions you have.
Can I bring a family member?
One family member can accompany you if needed, as we want you to feel comfortable during your time with us.
Follow-up
Will I need regular check-ups if my condition is chronic?
Our doctor will advise you on that during your initial consultation.
Are there routine follow-up dates after starting a new treatment?
We will decide on follow-up appointment dates during your initial consultation. These can vary considerably between different patients.
Who will I see?
You can choose to see Dr Sami or any of his colleagues. It’s the patient’s choice. Watch our video below to see Dr Sami’s introduction.
[answerpacktv video=”dr-sarmed-sami” header-only=”yes” single-view-mode=”yes” view-playlist-label=”View more videos by Dr Sarmed Sami” header-link=”/videos/” landing-page-header-text=” ” landing-page-header-title=”Dr Sarmed Sami, Introduction”]
Who we see
Can you see patients from overseas?
Yes, we do. Please call us to discuss options either face-to-face or virtually.
Do you see children?
No, we do not see children. We only see patients 18 years of age or older.
Endoscopy
Will I have an endoscopy in my first session?
You will not have the endoscopy in the same session as your initial consultation. However, we can usually book your endoscopy within approximately 1-7 days of your consultation.
Can I request an endoscopy without an initial consultation?
Yes, we offer direct access to endoscopy and colonoscopy. For this, we usually need a referral letter from your GP or specialist. If you do not have a referral letter, we may need to ask you a few questions or arrange a consultation before the procedure.
Will I need a follow-up appointment after an endoscopy to discuss the results?
Most patients need a follow-up appointment after an endoscopy to discuss the results. Our doctor will advise you on that during your initial consultation. If you prefer, we can send your test results via email. The follow-up consultation will let us make further plans and allow you to ask any questions about your results.
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