Endoscopy Canterbury
Modern and precise gastrointestinal endoscopy services offered across Canterbury.
Understanding Endoscopy
Digestive discomfort can interfere with your comfort, energy, and day-to-day life. If you’re experiencing persistent abdominal pain, irregular bowel movements, or signs such as bleeding, it’s understandable to want clarity and reassurance quickly.
Your digestive health is key to your overall wellbeing, and symptoms such as discomfort, bleeding, or altered bowel patterns may signal an issue that requires assessment. An endoscopy performed by a skilled surgeon like Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam may help provide answers.
What is an Endoscopy Procedure?
During an endoscopy, your surgeon uses a fine flexible camera to view the oesophagus, stomach, small bowel, and colon, helping your surgeon assess and diagnose digestive concerns such as liver disease, ulcers, colorectal cancer, and inflammatory bowel disorders.
Gastroscopies and colonoscopies are common types of endoscopy used to examine the digestive system. A gastroscopy investigates the upper tract, while a colonoscopy focuses on the large bowel and rectum. For people across Canterbury, these procedures often deliver important answers and next steps for care.
Your Endoscopy Procedure With Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam
Dedicated to high standards of medical care and patient comfort, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam combines modern surgical methods with a caring, personal touch. He and his team understand the concerns many people have before an endoscopy and prioritise making every step comfortable and reassuring.
Every procedure undertaken by Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam aligns with the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. His approach to colonoscopy and gastroscopy follows the Colonoscopy Clinical Care Standard to ensure patients receive reliable, evidence-informed care.
- Wide-ranging gastroenterology procedures
- Procedures aimed towards diagnosis and treatment of digestive conditions
- State-of-the-art facilities
- Empathetic and personalised care
Delays in diagnosis can occur when patients are placed on long waiting lists. For those needing faster evaluation, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam offers open-access endoscopy, enabling direct booking after your consultation. His team reviews each patient’s situation to ensure appropriate scheduling.
If you’re a referring doctor and think your patient would be suited to this option, please mention it in your referral email.
Our Endoscopy Services
Gastroscopy
Gastroscopy is an endoscopic procedure that examines the upper part of the digestive system, the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum. It’s commonly performed to assess symptoms such as reflux, nausea, abdominal discomfort, or unexplained anaemia, and may reveal inflammation, ulcers, or other abnormalities.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a specialised endoscopy procedure used to examine the rectum and colon (large bowel). It is a key tool in screening for colorectal cancer, identifying and removing polyps, and investigating symptoms like persistent diarrhoea, bleeding, or unexplained changes in bowel habits. In Australia, surgeons perform over one million colonoscopies every year.
Ready to begin your search for answers and potential treatment options?
Your Endoscopy Canterbury Questions Answered
When should I have an endoscopy?
Although the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program provides complimentary home testing for people aged 45 to 74, it’s important to see a doctor if you experience symptoms like abdominal pain, reflux, difficulty swallowing, rectal bleeding, bowel changes, or unexplained weight loss, as an endoscopy may be recommended.
How do I prepare for a gastroscopy?
Depending on your appointment time and any medical or dietary requirements, preparation instructions may vary. In most cases, patients are asked to avoid solid foods for at least six hours and clear liquids for two hours before the procedure. As you’ll receive sedation, please bring a responsible adult and organise a safe way home, as driving afterwards isn’t permitted.
How do I prepare for a colonoscopy?
Before your colonoscopy, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam will give you detailed preparation guidelines. Following these instructions properly is essential to allow a clear view of your bowel and its lining during the procedure. You may receive directions for standard, extended, or Colonolytely bowel preparation. Be sure to follow these steps exactly, attend with a responsible adult, and organise safe transport home, as you won’t be able to drive due to sedation.
Are there any other procedure options?
In some cases, your doctor may recommend trying other options before endoscopy, such as:
- Partial colon examination (sigmoidoscopy)
- FOBT (faecal occult blood test)
- DNA stool test
- Virtual colonoscopy, or colonography
- Barium enema
An endoscopy gives doctors a clear, real-time look inside the bowel and oesophagus, making it easier to detect inflammation, ulcers, or early signs of colorectal cancer. It also enables biopsies and polyp removal during the same procedure.
What are the risks and benefits of endoscopy?
While endoscopy carries minimal risk, possible complications include bleeding, bowel or organ perforation, or cardiorespiratory problems, with death being extremely rare. Still, the risk of not undergoing a needed endoscopy is often higher, as it may delay the identification and management of serious conditions.
What areas do you service?
Union Road Specialist Centre is easily accessible to patients in:
Why Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam?
Endoscopy Specialist
Endoscopy offers a major benefit by allowing surgeons to locate and remove polyps or suspicious tissue before they become more serious. Biopsying these samples is an important step in preventing cancer.
Rapid Access
He aims to see patients within one week of referral, with open-access endoscopy available to reduce waiting times.
Quality and Accreditation
All endoscopy services are carried out in accredited environments aligned with NSQHS and approved healthcare quality standards.
Our Locations near Canterbury
Make an Appointment at Our Endoscopy Centre Closest to You
If you’ve noticed changes in your bowel habits, ongoing discomfort, or are worried about bowel cancer, an endoscopic examination may be appropriate. Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam and his team provide advanced endoscopy services across Canterbury and regional Victoria, helping you get timely answers and peace of mind.
Arrange an appointment today to speak with the team about your symptoms, referral, and possible eligibility for open-access endoscopy.