During your appointment the clinician will ask you questions about your health and condition. This conversation will include a history of the problem you have been referred for. For example: how long you have had the condition, what the symptoms are and when you it may have started.

The clinician will also ask you about your past medical history and any medication you are taking. They will also ask if there is a relevant history of bowel problems in your family.

The clinician will ask your permission to perform a physical examination. This may include:
 

• Abdominal examination – the clinician will feel around your stomach for any tender spots or lumps.
   

• Digital rectal examination - the clinician will look at your anus to see if there are any obvious abnormalities, he will then use a finger to feel for any lumps or sore areas in and around the anus.
   

• Rigid sigmoidoscopy - it allows your doctor to look inside your rectum (back passage) and lower part of your bowel using a narrow, tube-like telescopic camera called a sigmoidoscope
   

• Proctoscopy -is used to examine the anal cavity, rectum or sigmoid colon. A proctoscope is a short, straight, rigid, hollow metal tube, and usually has a small light bulb mounted at the end, allowing an unobstructed view of the interior of the rectal cavity. This procedure is normally done to inspect for haemorrhoids or rectal polyps
   

• Injections - if the clinician feels it is clinically appropriate necessary they will inject haemorrhoids for treatment, this is a minimally invasive procedure and you may feel uncomfortable for a day.

All stages of the process will only take place with your consent. For more involved procedures you will be asked to sign a consent form.

All our consultations are held in the presence of a clinic assistant/chaperone

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You do not have to bring anything to your appointment, but it may be useful to the doctor if you bring any prescription medicine you are currently taking. 

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Any other details can be found on your referral letter. It is not necessary for you to bring your referral letter but it may be helpful should you choose to.

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When you arrive for your appointment you will greeted by a member of our administration team who will direct you to where you need to be.