The Department of Gastroenterology at Northern Health is a rapidly expanding multidisciplinary team of more than 25 experienced & highly trained gastroenterologists, clinical nurse consultants, dietitians, pharmacist, pharmacy technician and a psychologist. We pride ourselves on providing comprehensive, patient-centric, general gastroenterology, hepatology, inflammatory bowel disease & endoscopy services for outpatients and patients admitted to Northern Health. We also perform multiple research activities and clinical trials, and are closely involved in education and training of the next generation of health professionals via our relationship with the University of Melbourne and accreditation programs through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
Conditions managed by the Department of Gastroenterology include:
- Investigation and management of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, swallowing disorders, diarrhoea, constipation, gastrointestinal bleeding, weight loss
- Disorders of gut-brain interaction (functional gastrointestinal disorders), including functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome
- Gastrooesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
- Swallowing disorders, including eosinophilic oesophagitis
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Iron deficiency with or without anaemia
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Coeliac disease
- Colon polyps and family history of bowel cancer
- Pancreatic disease
- Liver disease, hepatitis
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Gastroscopy and colonoscopy
- Advanced endoscopic procedures including Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS), ERCP, balloon enteroscopy, management of Barrett’s oesophagus and luminal stenting
- Advanced endoscopic tissue resection including Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) and Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD)
For Patients and Visitors
What can I expect from the service?
The Department of Gastroenterology looks after patients in clinics (outpatients), when admitted to hospital (inpatients) and those requiring endoscopies and other tests.
This section includes information about outpatient clinics, endoscopic procedures and resources about gastroenterological conditions.
- Outpatient Clinics
- Gastrointestinal endoscopy and other investigations
- Gastroenterology Resources
- Patient Helplines
Outpatient Clinics
The following outpatient clinics are provided by the Department of Gastroenterology:
Northern Hospital – Epping
- General Gastroenterology Clinic – Thursday morning, Friday afternoon
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Clinic – Thursday morning
- Iron deficiency / eosinophilic oesophagitis clinic – Wednesday afternoon (fortnightly)
Broadmeadows Health Service
- General Gastroenterology Clinic – Monday morning, Wednesday morning
- Endoscopy Clinic – Wednesday morning
- Liver Clinic – Monday afternoon, Thursday afternoon
What do I bring/need for my appointment?
– Please bring your Medicare Card, GP referral, any test results that you have (blood tests, x-rays) and an updated list of your medications to your appointment. You may also find that a support person such as a relative may be helpful when you attend your appointment.
– Please note that many (but not all) appointments are currently offered as telehealth (video/phone) if suitable for some individuals.
Contact us
Gastroenterology Outpatients
Hours: 8.00am to 4.30pm
Phone: 8405 8335
Contact us via the link Enquiries – Specialist Clinics
Gastrointestinal endoscopy and other investigations
Our Endoscopy department offers diagnostic and therapeutic gastroscopy and colonoscopy alongside a range of more complex endoscopic procedures, as well as multiple other non-invasive and invasive investigations
Gastroscopy
A gastroscopy (also known as oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, OGD) is a procedure that uses a tube-like camera to perform an examination of the oesophagus (food pipe), stomach and duodenum (first part of the small bowel).
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a procedure which uses a tube-like camera to examine the large bowel and often the last part of the small bowel (terminal ileum).
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)
An ERCP is a procedure designed to look into the bile duct and pancreatic duct via a needle passed through a tube camera placed in the small bowel via the mouth.
Capsule Endoscopy
A capsule endoscopy is a procedure involving swallowing a small capsule camera designed to take photos of the small bowel for the diagnosis of conditions that may cause bleeding or anaemia.
GESA capsule endoscopy information
Oesophageal Manometry and pH studies
These studies are performed in the Day Medical and Oncology Unit, for the diagnosis of abnormalities related to gastrooesophageal reflux disease (GORD) or swallowing.
Liver Elastography (Fibroscan®)
A liver elastography (Fibroscan) is a special ultrasound machine to detect stiffness of the liver, which is a marker of scarring (fibrosis) in the liver.
GESA elastography patient information sheet
Gastroenterology Resources
There are multiple patient resources available on the internet for conditions related to gastrointestinal and liver disease. Please be aware that it is best to go to trusted, evidence-based websites for the most accurate and up to date information. The information provided is for general information only and not intended as medical advice.
The following websites may help:
- Gastroenterological Society of Australia Patient Resources (gesa.org.au)
- Crohn’s and Colitis Australia * Empowering people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – Crohn’s & Colitis Australia (CCA) (crohnsandcolitis.org.au)
- The Liver Foundation LIVER DISEASE | The Liver Foundation
- Crohn’s and Colitis UK Crohn’s & Colitis UK (crohnsandcolitis.org.uk)
- CCFA Homepage | Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (crohnscolitisfoundation.org)
Patient Helplines
The Department of Gastroenterology at NH also has the following Helplines for patients already known to our service to contact:
- IBD helpline daily 9am to 3pm – email ibdhelpline@nh.org.au
For Health Professionals
Click on one of the below links which will then take you to the relevant information.
Outpatient Referral Guidelines
The Department of Health and Human Services has developed Statewide referral criteria to assist GPs and clinicians referring patients to Specialist Clinics. These referral criteria have been developed to improve access to Specialist Clinics in public hospitals by improving the quality and appropriateness of referrals.
- Abnormal liver function tests – Abnormal liver function tests | src.health.vic.gov.au
- Chronic refractory constipation – Chronic refractory constipation | src.health.vic.gov.au
- Chronic refractory diarrhoea – Chronic refractory diarrhoea | src.health.vic.gov.au
- Cirrhosis – Cirrhosis | src.health.vic.gov.au
- Coeliac disease – Coeliac disease | src.health.vic.gov.au
- Constipation with sentinel findings – Constipation with sentinel findings | src.health.vic.gov.au
- Diarrhoea with sentinel findings – Diarrhoea with sentinel findings | src.health.vic.gov.au
- Dysphagia – Dysphagia (gastroenterology) | src.health.vic.gov.au
- Gastroesophageal reflux – Gastroesophageal reflux | src.health.vic.gov.au
- Hepatitis B – Hepatitis B | src.health.vic.gov.au
- Hepatitis C – Hepatitis C | src.health.vic.gov.au
- Inflammatory bowel disease – Inflammatory bowel disease | src.health.vic.gov.au
- Iron deficiency – Persistent iron deficiency | src.health.vic.gov.au
- Rectal bleeding – Rectal bleeding | src.health.vic.gov.au
Inpatient services
We have a dedicated consultant-led ward service, staffed by a team of advanced and basic physician trainees in gastroenterology, with support provided by clinical nurse consultants pharmacists, dietitians and other allied health staff. We look after the broad spectrum emergent and urgent gastrointestinal presentations, including gastrointestinal bleeding, decompensated liver disease, acute hepatitis, disease worsening in IBD and other disorders. Furthermore we provide a dedicated registrar and consultant led on call service for any out-of-hours gastrointestinal emergencies.
Urgent referrals can be discussed with the Gastroenterology Registrar by calling Northern Health switchboard Tel: 8405 8000. Acutely unwell patients should be directed to the nearest Emergency Department.
Gastrointestinal
The Department of Gastroenterology also offers the following investigations for patients of Northern Health.
- Fibroscan – Fibroscan referral form
- Oesophageal Manometry & 24 hr pH Monitoring – referral form
- Capsule endoscopy – referral form
- Intestinal ultrasound – referral form
Endoscopy
Northern Health does not offer direct access endoscopy for referrals from General Practitioners. All referrals must first be addressed to the outpatients clinics.
Please note endoscopies are generally performed in accordance with Victorian *** Categorisation Guidelines:
Our Services
Click on one of the below links which will then take you to the relevant information.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Service
The Northern Health Department of Gastroenterology’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) service delivers high-quality patient-centred care for people suffering from Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory intestinal disorders. A dedicated team of consultant gastroenterologists, IBD Fellows, colorectal surgeons, radiologists, IBD nurses, an IBD pharmacist, Australia’s first IBD Pharmacy Technician, specialist gastrointestinal dietitians, a psychologists strive to meet the complex care needs of patients with IBD as per best practices. An established and expanding research and international clinical trials portfolio provides the opportunity for patients to be part of cutting-edge research and novel therapies.
IBD Nurses
The Northern Health IBD nurses are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team who are our primary link between our patients and the treating medical and surgical team. They also provide:
- Specialist nursing advice, education and support for patients and their families through the IBD Helpline (see below)
- Coordinate the initiation and monitoring of biologic and thiopurine medications in patients
IBD Helpline
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 3pm (excluding Public Holidays)
Phone: 8405 2087
Email: ibdhelpline@nh.org.au
IBD Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician
The IBD pharmacy service at Northern Health consists of a Grade 3 pharmacist and a Grade 3 technician, who work collaboratively with the entire IBD team to optimise medication management for IBD patients in the hospital and the wider community
Contact details (8:30am – 5:30pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays):
Email: ibdpharmacy@nh.org.au
IBD Clinical trials
The Northern Health Department of Gastroenterology offer the option for patients to participate in multiple international clinical trials of new therapies for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. We also perform multiple investigator-initiated research projects for which we invite our patients to participate in.
For information on clinical trials please contact our Gastroenterology Clinical Trials service on:
Email: gastro.clinicaltrials@nh.org.au
Hepatology
The Northern Health Department of Gastroenterology’s Hepatology (liver disease) service delivers high-quality patient-centred care for people suffering from all types of liver disease, including those with abnormal liver function blood tests, hepatitis, and chronic liver disease with its associated complications including hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer, HCC). A dedicated team of consultant hepatologists, hepatology fellows, hepatobiliary surgeons, radiologists, hepatology nurses, and specialist gastrointestinal dietitians strive to meet the complex care needs of patients with liver disease as per best practices.
Endoscopy
The Northern Health Endoscopy Service is predominantly serviced by the Department of Gastroenterology. A team of gastroenterologists, upper gastrointestinal surgeons, colorectal surgeons, general surgeons and nurse endoscopists perform endoscopy at Northern Health. Endoscopies are performed at Northern Hospital Epping and Broadmeadows Health Service. Highly trained endoscopists use state-of-the-art equipment to perform a range of procedures, including:
- Gastroscopy
- Colonoscopy
- ERCP
- Endoscopic ultrasound
A number of specialised interventional procedures are performed to treat gastrointestinal bleeding, removal of small and large polyps, removal of bile duct stones, treatment of strictures (narrowings), screening for bowel cancer in patients with and without IBD, insertion and replacement of percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tubes. Northern Health is one of the only centres in Victoria that offer a specialised Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) service.
A dedicated and expert team of endoscopy nursing staff and anaesthetists ensure patients are cared for as safely as possible with the most up to date and high quality processes.
The Northern Health Endoscopy Service actively participates in training the next generation of endoscopists, and prides itself on an evolving quality and research program to ensure ongoing service improvement.
Patients may be seen in the Endoscopy Clinic before and following the procedure, or in a number of other gastroenterology clinics.
Research and Clinical Trials
The Northern Health Department of Gastroenterology offer the option for patients to participate in multiple international clinical trials of new therapies for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
There is a large portfolio of investigator-initiated research at Northern Health in affiliation with the University of Melbourne, led by A/Prof Mayur Garg, A/Prof Siddharth Sood, Dr Soleiman Kashkooli, and Dr Diana Lewis. Areas currently under focus include:
- Assessment and development of novel management strategies for patients admitted to hospital with acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC)
- Optimising detection of dysplastic lesions in patients with IBD
- Quality and cost-effective use of advanced therapies such as biologics and small molecules in patients with IBD
- Development of novel therapies for patients with stricturing Crohn’s disease
- Care of patients with checkpoint inhibitor colitis
- Optimising management of patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis
- Assessment of new models of care for patients with Liver Disease
- Assessment of outcomes of patients with intestinal tuberculosis
A dedicated team of research fellows, students and nurses form the cornerstone of this portfolio of research. Multiple opportunities for higher degree research such as PhD and MD exist within the unit. Please enquire via the Director of Gastroenterology, A/Prof Mayur Garg.
For information on clinical trials please contact our Gastroenterology Clinical Trials service on:
Email: gastro.clinicaltrials@nh.org.au
About Us
Director of Gastroenterology – A/Prof Mayur Garg
Deputy Director of Gastroenterology – Dr Simon Glance
Head of Hepatology – A/Prof Siddharth Sood
Head of Endoscopy – Dr Joshua Butt
Head of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Service – Dr Soleiman Kashkooli
Consultant Gastroenterologists:
Dr Shahzaib Anwar
Dr Ross Apostolov
Dr Raouf Bassily
Dr Anuj Bohra
Dr Stephen Casey
Dr Desmond Chee
Dr Alvin Chung
Dr Oliver Cronin
Dr Melissa Ghatak
Dr Nicholas Hannah
Dr Antony Jacob
Dr Christabel Kelly
Dr Shamilah Lachal
Dr Diana Lewis
A/Prof John Lubel
Dr Puneet Mahindra
Dr Tin Nguyen
Dr Nina Partharsarathy
Dr Edward Tsoi
Dr Sern Yeoh
Nurse endoscopists:
Mae Padilla
Jess Monta
Specialist IBD nurses:
Anne McFarlane
Sam McCall
Nicole Jackson
Elif Yildrim
Specialist Liver nurses:
Lyn Mclean-Knight
Kristen Peake
Kendall Fitzpatrick
Vanessa Lowen
Gastroenterology Clinic Coordinator;
Wendy Jacob
Gastroenterology Outpatient Administration Coordinator:
Maegan Myers
Endoscopy Service Coordinator:
Rebecca Garner
Endoscopy Liaison Nurses:
Joyce Habbaki
Effie Liavas
Tara Softley
Gastrointestinal Investigations Nurse:
Kaylene Eckersall
Gastroenterology Clinical Trials Coordinator:
Gloria Sepe
Gastroenterology Research Nurse:
Kate Murphy
IBD Pharmacist:
Vanessa Inserra
IBD Pharmacy Technician:
Andrew Leake
Specialist Gastrointestinal Dietitians:
Katherine Healy
Stella Mexias
Gastroenterology Registrars 2024:
Catherine Yu
Sarah Lucas
Paul Nguyen
IBD Fellows 2024:
Eshwar Yogakanthi
Mustafa Mohamedrashed
Hepatology Fellow 2024:
Leya Nedumannil
Endoscopy Fellow 2024:
Hardesh Dhillon
Department of Gastroenterology Executive Assistants:
Natalie Bootlis
Melissa Sciberras
Contact Us
Department of Gastroenterology, Northern Health
Phone number Melissa Sciberras
Endoscopy Bookings Office
Hours: 8.00am to 4.30pm
Phone: 8405 8550
Email: NHEndoscopy.bookings@nh.org.au
Gastroenterology Outpatients
Hours: 8.00am to 4.30pm
Phone: 8405 8335
Contact us via the link Enquiries – Specialist Clinics
IBD Helpline
Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am – 3.00pm (excluding public holidays)
Phone: 8405 2087
Email: ibdhelpline@nh.org.au
IBD Pharmacist
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm (excluding public holidays)
Email: ibdpharmacy@nh.org.au
Gastroenterology Research
Email: gastro.clinicaltrials@nh.org.au
