Welcome
to our Citywest FOBT Sydney clinic for quick access appointments direct to colonoscopies by the internationally renowned leaders in gastrointestinal endoscopy.
About Us
City West Gastroenterology is a specialist practice with a long reputation for providing a comprehensive range of gastroenterology services for the diagnosis and management of all aspects of gastrointestinal conditions. Our Specialists have looked after the health of many thousands of patients over the last two decades and have made significant impacts on community health and current gastroenterology practice. Our gastroenterologists have senior appointments and practice at both major tertiary referral hospitals which include Westmead Public hospital and private hospitals. There is a strong emphasis on adhering to best practice guidelines as well as advancing clinical and procedural care through a dedicated and successful research program. This ensures that patients receive the best possible care with the support of leading hospitals. With a huge breadth of experience, our specialists and team strive for continued clinical excellence through innovative high-quality patient-centred care.
GASTROSCOPY/COLONOSCOPY
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Rapid access for FOBT positive patients
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Diagnostic evaluation of common symptoms such as heartburn, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing and rectal bleeding
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Screening for family history of gastric/bowel cancer
BARRETT'S OESOPHAGUS
Treatment and management
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Diagnosis and evaluation
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Surveillance
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Management of Advanced Barrett's such as high-grade dysplasia and early cancer
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Endoscopic treatment options
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Barrett's Oesophagus Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR)
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Radiofrequency Ablation
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Barrett's Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD)
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Special access to international research trials for Barrett's related cancer
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PREFER STUDY (Endoscopic Management of Patients With T1bN0M0 Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: a Prospective Multicenter Registry)
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ABCDE STUDY (The Australian Barrett’s Cohort with Dysplasia and Early Cancer Study)
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COMPLEX COLONIC POLYPECTOMY
Treatment of early bowel cancer
and advanced polyps
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Access to multiple endoscopic treatment options
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Endoscopic Mucosal Resection
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Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection
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Full-thickness resection
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Participate and access early treatment as part of international, multi-center trials; part of Australian Colon EMR database
TREATMENT OF OESOPHAGEAL MOTILITY ISSUES
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Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) procedure: Definitive treatment of Achalasia, Nutcracker oesophagus and oesopageal spasm
ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND (EUS)
+/- FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION (FNA)
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Diagnosis or staging of pancreatic - biliary disorders
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Gastro-oesophageal disorders
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Therapy of bile duct stones, strictures and pancreatic issues
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Ampullectomy
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Biliary RFA
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Spyglass Cholangioscopy
OUR SERVICES
PATIENT RESOURCES
This website provides useful information on fact sheets about conditions, procedures and diets.
This website provides information on faecal occult blood test (FOBT) and Bowel Cancer.
INFORMATION FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
FOBT Clinic
FOBT Sydney at City West gastroenterology will deliver Direct Access Colonoscopy (DAC) service to privately insured patients who return a positive FOBT. This reduces endoscopy waiting time and improves the early detection of polyps, which reduces the need for costly cancer treatment for patients with a positive FOBT result.
With Direct Access Colonoscopy, patients who have returned a positive FOBT are assessed and triaged at the FOBT Clinic by a specialty nurse. Eligible patients will proceed directly to their colonoscopy without the need for an initial Specialist consultation, thus minimising inconvenience to patients. Bowel preparation and diet preparation education for the colonoscopy will be provided by the clinic. Patients who do not meet FOBT criteria will be scheduled an appointment to see a Specialist prior to colonoscopy, as per current practice.
Frequently asked questions - health professionals
Affiliated Hospitals
This page provides questions and answers regarding FOBT Clinic.
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What is the direct access endoscopy (DAC)?
DAC is a service that patients who have returned a positive FOBT and meet a set of criteria can be booked for colonoscopy without initial specialist consultation.
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What is the benefit of FOBT Clinic?
A key advantage of DAC is that referring doctors to request a colonoscopy without the need for an initial specialist consultation. Patients can avoid unnecessary delays and also attend the hospital once, on the day of their procedure.
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How does DAC work?
Patients who have returned a positive FOBT are triaged and assessed either via telephone by a specialty nurse or at the clinic. After assessment, eligible patients undergo colonoscopy at City West Specialist Day hospital. Diet preparation and/or bowel preparation education for the colonoscopy is provided either through the phone or at the FOBT clinic. The colonoscopy report and the pathology result (if applicable) of the colonoscopy and/or gastroscopy, together with the discharge instructions, are faxed to the referring doctor after the procedure.
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Which patients are eligible for the DAE?
Patients aged younger than 74 years and received a positive bowel screening test result. Patients with low risk rectal bleeding (blood on toilet paper or with bowel motion which requires investigation) and a positive FOBT can also be referred. Patients with high risk co-morbidities (diabetes, FR thresholds, BMI thresholds, cirrhosis or advanced liver disease, IHD, CVD, Respiratory disease, history of anesthetic adverse events), antiplatelet/antithrombotic treatment may require clinical assessment by a specialist.
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Can I refer symptomatic patients to the clinic?
Patients with 'red flag' features identified on referral may require clinical assessment by a specialist.
These clinical features may include:
- Overt rectal bleeding
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Unexplained abdominal pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- New change in bowel habit
- a palpable or visible rectal or abdominal mass
Useful Links
Cancer Council Australia Barrett’s Oesophagus and Early Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma
Working Party. Australian clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of Barrett's esophagus and early esophageal adenocarcinoma J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 May;30(5):804-20. doi: 10.1111/jgh.12913.
Clinical practice guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer
The DAC model of care provides guidance for the implementation of localised models of care for direct access services across NSW.
Sydney International Endoscopy Symposium (SIES)
SIES provides all stakeholders with an opportunity to engage with a wide range of leading clinicians and decision-makers in the fields of gastroenterology and endoscopy within Australia and the Asia-Pacific. It is now firmly entrenched as the second-largest gastroenterology and largest endoscopy meeting in Australia surpassed only by AGW.
Below are the recordings of the SIES Series:
SIES Series I
https://vimeo.com/eemgesqsies/download/523075481/e85e25a742
SIES Series II
https://vimeo.com/eemgesqsies/download/547063463/f356b7b4e8
SIES Series III
https://vimeo.com/eemgesqsies/download/583676521/5cae6d8266
SIES Series IV
https://vimeo.com/eemgesqsies/download/626124274/ed21ada9f9
SIES Series V
https://vimeo.com/eemgesqsies/download/640373252/b7dd87dd9f
SIES Series VI
RESEARCH
The Westmead Hospital Gastrointestinal Endoscopy research team lead by Professor Michael Bourke has produced multiple internationally recognized practice-changing studies which have transformed the role of endoscopy in the management of early cancer of the gastrointestinal tract including oesophagus, Barrett's oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, and colorectal. Endoscopic treatment does not preclude the possibility of the surgery but often will eliminate its need. It provides complete tumour staging of the lesion and allows a more definitive approach for the subsequent treatment. Early lesions are often cured by endoscopic resection and this avoids the morbidity and expense of surgery.
Recent Research Track Record: 5-year publication lists