Gastroenterology & Hepatology
The Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology offers a wide range of services to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, and of the liver and pancreas.
Hepatology services are provided by Prof. Crosbie and Dr. Kiat, and Dr. Zulquernain, Dr. O’Grady and Dr. Murphy run the IBD and luminal gastroenterology services.
Gastroenterology Services
Endoscopy
The Endoscopy Unit in Cork University Hospital is situated above the Emergency Department. The GI unit is a tertiary referral centre for both endoscopy and ERCP.
The CUH endoscopy service is accredited by Joint Advisory Group (JAG) on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. JAG's goal is to guarantee that endoscopy services have the knowledge, tools, and drive required to deliver timely, high-quality, patient-centered care.
Services Provided
The team of gastroenterologists use endoscopic procedures to diagnose and treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. These procedures include:
- Gastroscopy including interventional procedures such as endoscopic band ligation and APC
- Colonoscopy including EMR and advanced polypectomy
- Advanced IBD surveillance
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and GI stenting.
- Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)
Access To Services
Patients can be referred via our OPD clinics, or via other Consultants in CUH. We do not have an open access endoscopy service. We are happy to take ERCP referrals from other centres in the Cork/Kerry region via e-mail or telephone enquiry.
Hepatology
General Hepatology Service – Prof. Crosbie and Dr. Kiat
Overview
CUH is the only tertiary referral centre for liver disease outside of Dublin in the Munster area. CUH provides all Hepatology services at CUH apart from Liver transplantation which is performed at St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin.
The range of services at CUH include the review and treatment of patients with cirrhosis, hepatitis C, Haemachromatosis, autoimmune liver disease, cystic fibrosis, liver transplant patients, pregnant patients with liver issues.
Services
- General Hepatology Clinic (Thursday morning)
- FibroScan
- *Liver Transplant Clinic (Thursday morning, on monthly basis, by Dr. Schmidt)
Clinical Nurse Specialist
The Hepatology service is also supported by Clinical Nurse Specialist in Hepatology, Orla Chambers.
Access to Service
Access is via referral letter from GP, hospital consultants, public health officers in CUH, KGH, Waterford and Limerick. Patients from Munster are often referred to us from SVUH in Dublin for local follow up. All letters reviewed by consultants and patients are seen at the General Hepatology clinic which takes place every Thursday morning.
Hepatitis C Service – Prof. Crosbie and Dr. Kiat
Overview
CUH is one of 8 designated National hepatitis C units in Ireland, and the only one in Munster area. All Hepatitis C referrals from this Area are investigated and triaged for appropriate anti-viral therapy.
Services
- Hepatitis C Clinic (Tuesday morning)
- Viral Hepatitis Clinic (Monday afternoon, on monthly basis)
*The Department of Infectious Diseases runs the Hepatitis B service and referral pathway is via the Department of Infectious Diseases (https://www.cuh.hse.ie/our-services/our-specialities-a-z-/infectious-diseases/infectious-diseases.html)
Clinical Nurse Specialist
The Hepatology C service is supported by Clinical Nurse Specialist in Hepatitis C, Lorraine O’Connor.
Access To Service
Access is via referral letter from GPs or other hospital Consultant. All letters reviewed by Dr. Crosbie and patients are reviewed at either a monthly viral Hepatology clinic or a Tuesday clinic for state contaminated group, occasionally at general Hepatology clinic.
Our Hepatitis C nurses are happy to take any enquiries or answer any concerns and can be contacted at 021-4922167
IBD and Luminal Gastroenterology Services - Dr. S. Akbar Zulquernain, Dr. J O' Grady, Dr. C Murphy
CUH is a tertiary referral centre for luminal gastroenterology. CUH provides access to a wide array of luminal gastroenterology services. The range of services at CUH include the review and treatment of patients with Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's and colitis), motility or functional gastrointestinal disorders, intestinal failure and complex nutritional conditions, pancreato-biliary diseases. The Luminal Gastroenterology service has significant research links with UCC and APC Microbiome Ireland.
Access to Service
Access is via referral letter from GP, hospital consultants and public health officers