Endoscopy at BGH or PECMH

Quinte Health offers endoscopy services as part of the Surgical Program at Belleville General and Prince Edward County Memorial Hospitals. Endoscopy is a way of looking inside the body using a flexible tube that has a small camera on the end of it. This instrument is called an endoscope. Common procedures include gastroscopy, colonoscopy and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to diagnose and treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

Our Endoscopists complete about 10,000 procedures at our hospital each year. The department is also staffed by anesthesiologists and specialized endoscopy registered nurses and registered practical nurses. Together, the endoscopy team ensures your visit with us is as pleasant as possible.

Our Endoscopy Clinic is part of the Cancer Care Ontario Colorectal Screening Program. According to ColonCancerCheck, an Ontario-wide screening program aimed at reducing deaths from colorectal cancer by increasing early detection of the disease, there is a 90% cure rate if colorectal cancer is detected in its earliest stages.

The majority of colonoscopies are performed to investigate symptoms, however if you have a family history of colon cancer in a first degree relative (parent, sibling or child) colonoscopy is recommended to screen for this disease.

FIT + colonoscopy referrals

Fecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT) is a new test that is part of Cancer Care Ontario’s Colon Cancer Check Program
The FIT replaces the fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) for people at average risk of getting colorectal cancer
A positive FIT requires a colonoscopy
Patients who require a FIT positive colonoscopy will receive an appointment within 56 days.
If further testing is necessary, patients will receive expedited and automatic diagnostic workup and surgical consults through the Quinte Health Care Colorectal Cancer Program

Physician Offices:

Patient Referral

Abnormal Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)/Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) Colonoscopy Referral

Patient Information:

The information booklets provided below are intended to help you know what to expect and plan for your stay. Simply click on the procedure you are having to open the booklet.

If you are scheduled for a colonoscopy, click on the links below
to read more information about the bowel preparation medications
you were prescribed by your physician.

In preparation for your procedure, please fill out this questionnaire and give it to your endoscopy team on your procedure day

Pre-Anaesthetic Questionnaire