Advice for patients, visitors and staff
Our main priority is, and has always been, the health and safety of our patients, visitors and staff.
If you have been waiting for an appointment, we thank you for your patience and understanding.
Following updated guidance from the government and regulatory advice (Association of GI Physiologists), we would like to advise you that The Functional Gut Clinic in London and Manchester are fully open for remote/home breath testing (SIBO, lactose and fructose) and will be commencing a phased re-opening of physiology services from Monday 8 June 2020.
What we are doing to keep everyone safe?
To provide a safe environment, we have put steps in place such as a pre-test questionnaire, temperature checking, full personal protective equipment for staff, revised infection control policies and staff re-training which is compliant with current national guidance from the Association of Gastrointestinal Physiologists.
We will also be minimising the number of daily appointments available and increasing time between patient appointments to allow for cleaning.
What this means for our patients?
All patients who were referred for an in-clinic test prior to cessation of services will be contacted to rearrange their appointment, this will be prioritised based on the date of the received referral as well as urgency.
We will be offering appointments outside of rush hour times for people who need to commute into the clinic and a Saturday clinic for patients that want to attend at the weekend. This should not result in any delay to your appointment as we are currently well within capacity.
Prior to your appointment you will be required to complete a Covid-19 Patient Questionnaire. This MUST be completed and returned to us prior to your appointment.
When attending the clinic, please be assured that you will have no contact with any other Functional Gut Clinic patients, as your appointments will be appropriately spaced. You may bring one person with you to help with travel and communication, but this person will not be allowed into the procedure room during the test. If you need an interpreter arranging, please contact the clinic. Please do not bring children with you to your appointment.
You will be required to have your temperature taken on arrival at the clinic and if your temperature is above 37.5°C, your test will be deferred.
To ensure both you and our staff are safe and at minimal risk of infection, our staff will be wearing appropriate PPE. Please do not be alarmed by this, it is essential for the safety of you and our staff.
Hand sanitising stations will be set up in Reception and our consultation rooms.
All clinical and patient areas will be cleaned prior to your appointment and deep cleaned at the end of each day.
Non-patient facing staff will continue to work from home to minimise the risk of infection.
What tests are going to be available?
For in-clinic appointments we will be re-introducing the following tests:
- Oesophageal manometry
- Reflux testing (24-hour pH and impedance)
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux test
- Anorectal manometry
- Endoanal ultrasound
- Pudendal nerve function testing
- Defaecography
- Whole-gut transit study
All breath testing will be done using home kits and a telephone or video appointment can be arranged to guide you before undertaking the test. Tests include:
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Carbohydrate malabsorption (fructose or lactose)
- Gastric emptying
- Helicobacter pylori
As we get more guidance, we will continue to monitor and review this information to ensure it accurately reflects our status.
For any enquiries or concerns, please contact 0207 486 7777 or admin@thefunctionalgutclinic.com
Last updated 3 June 2020
