What Happens at a Gastroenterology Appointment?

Gastroenterology looks after your stomach, bowel and liver. Here is what usually happens at your first appointment, which tests you might need, and how to prepare.

Updated · 4 min read

Illustration of the digestive system beside a notepad and a calendar

At a gastroenterology appointment, a specialist in the digestive system will ask about your symptoms, your bowel habits and your general health, and may examine your tummy. They will then decide whether you need tests, such as blood tests, a stool sample, an endoscopy or a colonoscopy, and explain what happens next.

What gastroenterology covers

Gastroenterology deals with the digestive system: the oesophagus (food pipe), stomach, bowels, liver, gallbladder and pancreas. You might be referred for symptoms such as:

  • ongoing tummy pain or bloating
  • indigestion or heartburn that does not settle
  • difficulty swallowing
  • a change in your bowel habits, such as diarrhoea or constipation
  • bleeding from your bottom
  • unexplained weight loss
  • abnormal liver blood tests

If you have severe tummy pain, are vomiting blood or have heavy bleeding from your bottom, call 999 or go to A&E.

Getting ready

The NHS website suggests writing a list before any hospital appointment. For gastroenterology, it is worth noting:

  • what your symptoms are, when they started and whether they are getting worse
  • how often you open your bowels, and what your poo is like
  • any blood or mucus, and when you noticed it
  • anything that makes symptoms better or worse, such as particular foods
  • your weight, if it has changed
  • all the medicines you take, including ones you buy yourself
  • any family history of bowel conditions or bowel cancer

Keeping a simple diary of symptoms and bowel habits for a week or two before the appointment can be very helpful. It can feel awkward to talk about bowel habits, but the team discusses these things every day.

What happens at the appointment

Questions

You will be asked about your symptoms, medical history, medicines, diet, alcohol use and family history.

Examining your tummy

The doctor may examine your tummy by gently pressing on it. Sometimes a rectal examination is needed, where a gloved finger is gently inserted into your bottom. You will be asked for consent first, and you can ask for a chaperone.

Planning tests

The doctor will explain which tests, if any, would help and why.

Tests you may be offered

Blood tests

These can check for anaemia, inflammation, coeliac disease and how well your liver is working.

Stool sample

You may be asked to collect a sample of poo at home to check for infection, inflammation or hidden blood. Our guide on taking a stool sample explains how.

Endoscopy

An endoscopy uses a thin tube with a camera to look inside your body. For the upper digestive system, it goes in through your mouth. It can take between 10 minutes and 1 hour, and small samples (biopsies) can be taken. You are usually awake, and may be offered a throat spray or a sedative.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy checks inside your bowel using a thin, flexible tube passed into your bottom. You take a laxative beforehand so your bowel is empty. You are usually awake, and offered medicine to make you more comfortable.

Scans

Some people need an ultrasound, CT or MRI scan.

Preparing for tests

You will be told how to prepare. For an endoscopy, you may need to avoid eating and drinking for several hours, take laxatives or other medicines, or temporarily stop certain medicines such as blood thinners. Do not stop any prescribed medicine without talking to a healthcare professional first.

If you have a sedative, you cannot drive for 24 hours. Someone will need to take you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours.

Results and next steps

Some results are available quickly, while others, such as biopsies, can take a couple of weeks. Our guide on how long MRI and biopsy results take explains typical waits.

Depending on what is found, you may be given advice about diet or medicines, have more tests, be followed up in clinic, or be discharged back to your GP. The team writes to your GP, and you can ask for a copy.

Phone and video appointments

Your first gastroenterology appointment may not be in person. The NHS website says outpatient appointments can be face to face, by phone or by video, agreed between you and your healthcare professional. For a video appointment, you need a charged phone, tablet or computer with a camera, microphone and internet connection, and it is worth testing it beforehand.

If you cannot attend at the time you have been given, contact the hospital to rearrange. Having your NHS number to hand can help.

Bowel cancer screening

Separately from any hospital referral, the NHS offers bowel cancer screening to people aged 50 to 74 in England every 2 years. It uses a home test kit (a FIT kit) that checks a sample of poo for blood. If you are 75 or over, you can ask for a kit by calling the screening helpline on 0800 707 6060.

Screening is for people without symptoms. If you have symptoms such as bleeding from your bottom, a change in bowel habits or unexplained weight loss, see your GP rather than waiting for a screening kit.

Gastroenterology questions

Will I have a camera test at my first appointment?

Not usually. Endoscopy and colonoscopy are normally booked for another day, with preparation instructions sent to you.

Should I change my diet before the appointment?

Not unless you are told to. Changing your diet beforehand, for example cutting out gluten, can affect some test results.

Sources

Checked on 14 October 2026:

This guide explains the general rules for staff in England using 2026/27 figures. It is not financial advice. Your employer, payslip or NHS Pensions statement has the final word on your own pay.

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