We provide our patients with the highest standard of private healthcare in comfortable and friendly surroundings. Through years of experience and by listening to our patients, we recognise that everyone deserves to be treated as an individual.
We recognise that high quality care isn’t just about carrying out the right medical procedure; it’s about the whole experience. That is why our patients can be assured that they will be treated with courtesy, compassion and respect from their very first contact with us to the time they leave.
We are open for patients:
Mon - 08:00 - 20:00
Tues - 08:00 - 20:00
Wed - 08:00 - 20:00
Thur - 08:00 - 20:00
Fri - 08:00 - 20:00
Sat - 08:00 - 17:00
Sun - 08:00 - 15:00
Online operating hours:
Open 24 hours
You can contact us by:
Phone: 01702 478885
Email: info@chartwellprivatehospital.co.uk
Post:
Chartwell Private Hospital
1629 London Road,
Leigh-on-Sea,
Essex,
SS9 2SQ
The Chartwell Hospital is conveniently located in Leigh-On-Sea in Essex, with great transport links and easy parking.
Travelling by car:
We have free parking available on site, subject to availability.
Public Transport:
You can get to us easily by bus and national rail.
We can accept referrals from the following healthcare professionals, but this may vary depending on the service requested:
Referrals can be sent via email, or Healthcare Professionals can use our online referral forms.
We believe that patients should be able to take control of their own health. So, we are offering a self-referral option for some of our services and looking to expand options for patients going forward.
You can currently self-refer or book with us directly for:
If you cannot see what you are looking for, please do get in contact to find out how you can refer yourself to The Chartwell Hospital.
You can use your Health Insurance to pay for your consultation, procedure or treatment*, by using the process below:
Referral: Insurance providers very in terms of accepting referrals. You will most likely require a referral from a Consultant recognised by your insurer. Your insurance provider may make a recommendation, or you can arrange this via your GP.
Check your policy: Once you have your referral, please call your Insurance provider to check if your policy will cover the cost of the procedure. In some circumstances, you may be required to cover some of the cost, so please ensure you advise us prior to your booking. You will be provided with an Authorisation number, which you will need to provide prior to your appointment. Your insurance provider will have us named as Chartwell Hospital & Diagnostics Limited.
Make a booking: You are now ready to book your appointment! Please ensure that you provide the following information at the time of booking:
Name of Insurance Provider
Your Policy Number
Your Authorisation Number
You will only need to pay any insurance excess or shortfall. Usually the insurer will cover the full cost.
*Please note that any claims are subject to the policy that you hold and the agreement with your Insurance Provider. If you are unable to provide an authorisation number, please note that we may ask you to cover the cost of your scan and reclaim the expense back from your insurer.
We are recognised by all major insurers, including:
Please contact us if your Health Insurance provider is not listed.
We accept NHS patients through the NHS referral process and there are a number of NHS Trusts who routinely refer patients for various services we offer.
Please speak to your GP or NHS consultant for more information.
• Please follow the bowel preparation instructions carefully. Your bowel must be completely empty to allow the endoscopist to have a clear view.
• Stop taking iron tablets seven to ten days before the procedure. All other medication (including aspirin) should be taken as normal.
If you take Warfarin, Clopidogral or any other anti coagulants, you may be required to stop these for your procedure. Please seek the advice of your GP to ensure it is safe for you to stop these medications for this procedure. If you are told to continue your warfarin please have an INR test one week before your procedure and bring the result with you. Please advise us if you have been told not to stop your medication.
• If you have diabetes please seek the advice of your diabetes nurse specialist/practice nurse or GP for information regarding any medication changes due to your restricted diet.
• If you have any questions about the procedure or find that you cannot keep this appointment, please contact the Bookings Office between 9:00 and 17:00 Monday to Friday on 01702 478885 then press option 2 for bookings.
You will need to undress and put on a gown. We will ask you to remove any glasses and we will make you comfortable on a couch, lying on your left side with your knees bent. For your comfort and reassurance, a nurse will stay with you throughout the procedure.
We will give you oxygen through a nasal cannula into your nostrils (if you would prefer a mask please let the nurse know ) and put a blood pressure cuff on your arm, also a plastic 'peg' will be placed on your finger to monitor your pulse and oxygen levels.
The endoscopist will then gently insert the colonoscope through your anus into your colon. During the procedure, air and water is passed into your colon to give a clear view of its lining. You may experience some wind-like pains, but they should not last long.
At this time, you might feel as if you need to go to the toilet. This is a perfectly natural reaction but as the bowel will be empty, there is no need to worry. There may be periods of discomfort as the tube goes around bends in the bowel. In order to make the procedure easier you may be asked to change position, e. g. roll onto your back.
However, if you make it clear that you are too uncomfortable we will stop the procedure. Please be aware if the procedure is stopped you may need further investigations to find the cause of your symptoms.
Following the procedure, we will take you to a recovery area. We will always do our best to respect your privacy and dignity, such as the use of curtains. If you have any concerns, please speak to the recovery nurse.
We will give you a drink and some biscuits, if you have any special dietary requirements you can bring your own refreshments.
If you choose sedation, you will not be able to drive, operate machinery, return to work, drink alcohol or sign any legally binding documents for a 24 hour period after the procedure; also you will need to have a responsible adult stay with you for the next 12 hours.
You are also advised not to fly within three days after your procedure due to the gases used to inflate your colon. You can eat and drink as normal.
You may feel bloated and have some wind-like pains if some of the air remains in your bowel; these usually settle down quickly.
If you experience any of the following please contact Chartwell Private Hospital, your GP or the Emergency Department at your local NHS hospital for further advice:
• Severe pain
• Black tarry stools
• Persistent bleeding
The Endoscopist or recovery nurse will inform you of your results and discuss your procedure after care with you. We ensure you fully understand the information given to you before going home.
Final results from biopsies or polyp removals will be assessed by your Endoscopist and then forwarded to your GP. These results can take several weeks to come through. You should discuss details of these results and any further treatment with your GP.
An endoscopy can be uncomfortable so we do offer mild sedation to provide relief.
On the day , please drink as much clear fluid as you can, up to two hours prior to your procedure then just take water until your admission.
Please come to the reception area at Chartwell Private Hospital.
Please note that the appointment time is for your pre procedure check, not the time of your examination. The length of time you will be here will vary but may be anything from one to three hours. Occasionally unforeseen/unavoidable delays to your appointment time can occur and we ask for your understanding at these times. Due to the specialist nature of the equipment we use breakdowns can occur that may not be able to be fixed on the day, this may result in your appointment being re-scheduled.