Gastrointestinal Physiology

Gastrointestinal (GI) Physiology is a specialised diagnostic service based across Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) and Solihull Hospital.

The GI Physiology service is led and staffed by registered and accredited independent practitioners who specialise in the study of gastrointestinal function and disease.

GI physiologists use state-of-the-art equipment to measure aspects of gastrointestinal tract function and the visualisation of internal structures.

Patients are referred to the department from a variety of specialities and may present with symptoms such as:

• swallowing disorders
• gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
• bowel incontinence, or
• other gut function disorders

The GI Physiology department at QEHB and the Oesophageal Laboratory at Solihull Hospital work as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team which includes gastroenterologists, surgeons and specialist nurses as well as other diagnostic disciplines such as radiology and endoscopy, who all contribute to the patient care pathway.

GI physiology results are used to aid diagnosis and to offer the patient the most appropriate treatment, such as a change to their medical therapy or a surgical procedure.

Tests we perform

The service sees approximately 1,200 patients per year and carries out more than 1,850 tests across the two sites.

Tests are performed as follows:

GI Physiology department at QEHB

• Oesophageal high-resolution manometry
• 24-hour ambulatory oesophageal pH monitoring
• Anorectal high-resolution manometry
• Anorectal ultrasound scanning
• Programming of sacral nerve stimulators

Oesophageal Laboratory at Solihull Hospital

• Oesophageal high-resolution manometry
• 24-hour ambulatory oesophageal pH monitoring
• 24-hour ambulatory oesophageal impedance-pH monitoring (plus gastric or pharyngeal pH monitoring)
• Paediatric 24-hour impedance-pH monitoring (at Heartlands Hospital)

Contact us

For request forms or for more information on GI Physiology, please call the relevant team.

• 0121 371 5617 (Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham)
• 0121 424 4579 (Solihull Hospital)