Dr Mark Wilson Gastroenterology
Direct Access Endoscopy
Out-patient Consultation
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Gastroenterology
Patient Information and Resources
INFORMATION FOR NEW PATIENTS
A referral is required from either your GP or other Medical Specialist prior to an appointment.
Once a valid referral is received Dr Wilson will review this and a member of his staff will contact you to schedule an appointment or to arrange a procedure. We aim to do this within a 2 week time frame of receiving your referral.
Dr Wilson will organise any additional investigations thought necessary prior to your appointment or procedure, for example, extra blood tests or scans. You will be involved in all decisions about your health care. Results will be communicated to you in a timely manner and face to face consultation appointments will be made according to capacity or clinically necessity.
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Prior to a consultation or procedure with Dr. Wilson you will be asked for information regarding your Private Health Insurance status and Medicare number.
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Dr Wilson allows for up to 30 minutes for out-patient consultations (longer if required).
​Patients are respectfully reminded that practice fees are due at the time following your face to face consultation with Dr. Wilson in his rooms either by cash, cheque or EFTPOS. For queries regarding cost, please ask reception staff.
Medicare eligible rebates are available for consultations following payment. Private Health funds do not routinely contribute to the cost of out-patient consultations.
Regarding endoscopic procedure(s) such as Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy, these are undertaken at Calvary Hospital, Lenah Valley. Dr. Wilson does not charge an out of pocket GAP fee for patients who have a Medicare number and Private Health Insurance. Estimates can be provided for uninsured patients or for those without a Medicare number.
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All out-patient Capsule Endoscopy (PillCams) patients who meet the MBS criteria are bulk billed.
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We aim to provide our patients with professional and personalised advice and service so please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
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Symptoms of concern
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Significant and unexplained weight loss or fatigue
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Changes in bowel habit such as diarrhoea, constipation or a feeling of imcomplete emptying
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Blood in your poo
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Abdominal pain or cramping
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Links and useful information
​Gastroenterological Society of Australia - GESA
https://www.gesa.org.au/resources/patient-resources/
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Coeliac Australia
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Dietitian Association of Australia
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​Mind Over Gut
​http://www.mindovergut.com/​​​​
Endoscopy Procedures
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​​Gastroscopy (upper endoscopy) is a procedure using a thin flexible camera to inspect the food pipe, stomach and top of the small bowel.​​
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Colonoscopy is a procedure using a thin flexible camera to inspect the bowel.
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Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy can be offered at the same appointment if required. Both procedures are performed by a Gastroenterologist and sedation given by an Anaesthetist. Photographs and samples (biopsies) are obtained, and small growths (polyps) are removed if required​​
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Capsule Endoscopy (PillCam) is a test using an oral capsule with a built-in camera to take images of the small bowel to investigate bleeding. After swallowing the capsule, it travels through the stomach and into the small bowel. The system sends images back to a recorder device. The small bowel is not well seen on routine gastroscopy and colonoscopy. PillCam is performed as an outpatient. There is no need for hospital admission, and no sedation required. The capsule is single use and will pass out in your stool, often unseen.
Low FODMAP Diet
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The low FODMAP diet is one of the most effective dietary therapies for Inflammatory bowel disease (IBS).
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FODMAP is an acronym (abbreviation) referring to
Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols.
These are complex names for a collection of molecules found in food, that can be poorly absorbed by some people.
When this lack of absorption happens in the small intestine of the digestive tract, it allows the molecules to have access into the large intestines, where they act as a food source to the bacteria that normally live there.
The bacteria then digest these molecules, causing unpleasant symptoms, including:
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Abdominal bloating and distension
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Excess wind (flatulence)
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Abdominal pain
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Nausea
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Changes in bowel habits e.g. diarrhoea, constipation, or a combination of both.
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