New rapid access gallstone service at Nuffield Health Exeter Hospital
A new, rapid access service to help people with gallstone disease has now started at the Nuffield Health Exeter Hospital.
The gallbladder is a small (roughly the size of a pear) storage organ for bile, close to the liver. In some this organ can become diseased, with the formation of gallstones. A new service at the Nuffield Health Exeter Hospital now offers patients a new option.
Gallstone disease is very common. The symptoms can range from being mild, with occasional abdominal discomfort, to much more severe prolonged pain or very serious, even life-threatening conditions, requiring emergency hospital admission. Thankfully, treatment is usually relatively straightforward, with keyhole surgery being performed to remove the diseased gallbladder. Most patients are able to go home the same day, and full recovery usually takes just one or two weeks.
Saj Wajed is a Consultant Upper GI and Laparoscopic Surgeon at the Nuffield Health Exeter Hospital. He said “Gallstones are a very common and increasing cause of emergency hospital admission for people with severe abdominal pain. Between 15-20% adult population have gallstones, and the incidence is rising. About 50,000 people a year have an operation to remove their gallbladder.
"With such rising demand, most patients are forced to wait a couple of months before having their surgery through the NHS. This is a long time to wait if you have bad symptoms, or have plans which have to be put on hold.
"We hope that the new Rapid-Access Gallstone Service will give people the opportunity to have their surgery performed by a Specialist Upper GI surgeon, at the Nuffield and within a few weeks, enabling them to recover and get back to normal living as quickly as possible”
Mr. Cain of Okehampton had the operation recently. He said “I just didn’t want to wait the 3 or 4 months the NHS would have taken so went to see Mr. Wajed at the Nuffield. He saw me almost straightaway and I had the operation within two weeks. I had wonderful treatment and all the team were brilliant. I feel much better already, and have started back sorting out the garden!”
Paul Taylor, Hospital Director at the Nuffield Health Exeter Hospital said “We know from the surveys we carry out that people who need to see a consultant and possibly have some treatment do not want to wait. Our new service for this very common condition will be extremely helpful for many people.”
