Gastroenterology

Description of Department/Service

The Dept of Gastroenterology is a modern university affiliated unit providing high quality care for the full spectrum of adult GI diseases to both inpatient and outpatients in our catchment area. In addition we accept patients outside our catchment area as a tertiary referral centre. We have daily clinics including dedicated clinics for specific gastrointestinal diseases such as IBD, liver and coeliac disease.  In addition we have dedicated specialist nurses providing support care in conjunction with these clinics.

We have a modern Endoscopy Unit providing both basic and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for a number of specialist conditions including oesophageal and pancreatic disorders, inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal bleeding. We are dedicated as a group of doctors, nurses and support staff to providing a high quality service in a friendly and warm environment ensuring the dignity and holistic care of all our patients.

How to find us

The Department of Gastroenterology is located on the second floor, Level 2. Note this is an adult only service

Patient Information

Leaflets available:

What is anterograde double balloon enteroscopy (A.D.B.E.) ?

What is retrograde double ballon enteroscopy (R.D.B.E.) ?

What is a gastroscopy?

What is a colonoscopy?

What is an endoscopic ultrasound?

What is an E.R.C.P.?

Insertion of colon stent

Insertion of oesophageal stent

Oesophageal dilation

What is a sigmoidoscopy?

What is a capsule endoscopy?

Oesophageal manometry

What is haemochromatosis?

Bacterial Overgrowth Test

G.I. Lab

Gastrointestinal Laboratory

Lactose Intolerance Test

Patency Capsule

Urea Breath Test patient Information sheet

Lifestyle & your Liver PIL

Specialist Services

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

The IBD Unit is led by a team of two Consultants with a subspecialist interest in IBD and is located on level 2 of Tallaght University Hospital (TUH).

Please click here for a detailed explanation of IBD.

GI Physiology

The Gastrointestinal Function Lab (GI Lab) is situated within Gastroenterology on level 2 of TUH. The highly specialised technology available in the GI Lab helps Doctors to better diagnose and manage a variety of gastrointestinal disease.

Common tests and procedures performed in the GI Lab:

Colorectal Screening

For more information on colorectal screening please click here

H.pylori Infection

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacteria capable of living in the stomach. It is very common but in some cases can have serious consequences.

TUH has been a leader of research into this bacteria dating back to the original Adelaide and Meath hospitals and we regularly present research both nationally and internationally on the consequences and treatment of this disease.

TUH has on site access to non-invasive urea breath tests for detection of H. pylori. Up to 5-10% percent of H.Pylori cases can be resistant to our first line antibiotics, the Hospital is also a referral centre for culture and sensitivity for resistant cases of H.Pylori.

Liver Clinic

The liver clinic at TUH is run by Dr. Niall Breslin and a team of specialist registrars, basic specialist trainees and nursing staff. Patients with a variety of acute and chronic liver conditions are seen. This includes haemochromatosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcohol related liver disease, autoimmune liver diseases (including primary biliary cirrhosis, auto-immune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis), drug induced liver conditions and less common diseases such as alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and Wilson's disease. Patients with chronic viral hepatitis are also seen but are usually treated at St. James's Hospital. The team works closely with the Haemochromatosis venesection clinic as well as with Clinical Nutrition and Liaison Psychiatry. 

Hereditary Haemochromatosis

Hereditary Haemochromatosis is a genetically determined condition leading to an excess absorption of iron from the diet, which in turn leads to accumulation of iron in the body. This accumulation of iron can cause injury to a number of organs if left untreated.

For more information on hereditary haemochromatosis please click here. 

Obscure G.I. Bleeding

Please see Cabsule Endoscopy Service and Double Balloon Enteroscopy Service.

Capsule Endoscopy.pdf 

Education & Research

The Department of Gastroenterology has a substantial academic record and strong links with Trinity College Dublin. As a teaching hospital the department is involved in providing undergraduate clinical teaching. As a tertiary referral centre for a multitude of gastrointestinal disorders, Tallaght is a recognised training centre for postgraduate higher specialist training.

The Unit has an international recognition for research excellence - our major research focus includes the following:

• Clinical Trials Unit
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Translational Research supported by the recent TAGG initiative

Clinical Trials Unit

The Clinical Trials Unit situated within the Gastroenterology Department at TUH provides the infrastructure, physical space, facilities, expertise and culture needed to optimally support patient-focused research studies and clinical trials aimed at understanding  diseases of the GI tract and their treatment.  

Group Objectives:

• Increase research into the cause and complications of IBD
• Improve patients' access to new therapies
• Auditing IBD clinical services
• IBD Database Management

We are currently investigating many areas to try to identify causes and improve treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, including:

• Determining which of our current treatments are most effective in getting these diseases under control
• Investigating new medications in treatment of Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis
• Assessing Induction and maintenance of clinical response and remission rates of new therapies
• Evaluating efficacy and safety of new drug therapies 

PUBLICATIONS

• Click here to view publications

For more information please visit any of the following sites:

Irish Society for Colitis & Crohn's Ireland

National Association for Colitis & Crohn's Disease

Irish Society of Gastroenterology (ISGE)

United European Gastroenterolog (UEG)

European Crohn's & Colitis Organisation ECCO

Irish Cancer Society 

Endoscopy

The Endoscopy Unit is situated on the second floor of the Hospital.  The Unit has three Endoscopy procedure rooms and two recovery areas.  The Endoscopy Unit is a facility that provides a service for outpatients, inpatients and patients from referring hospitals. Over 9,000 procedures are carried out in the Unit each year.  The Endoscopy Unit is an integral part of the Gastroenterology Unit which comprises adjacent outpatient consultation rooms, a GI function lab and GI Research facility.

The Endoscopy service is supported by two Upper GI Cancer Specialist Nurses, a Colorectal Cancer Nurse Specialist, an IBD Nurse Specialist and a Pre-assessment Nurse as well as the trained Endoscopy nurses.

 A variety of procedures are carried out within the Unit including:

• Diagnostic and therapeutic gastroscopy
• Diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Double balloon enteroscopy (DBE)
• Transoesophageal echo cardiography (TOE)
• Bronchoscopy

Tallaght University Hospital is the first centre in Ireland to conduct colorectal cancer screening using Faecal Immunological blood testing. We are one of only two centres in Ireland that performs Double Balloon Enteroscopy (both diagnostic and therapeutic) and receive referrals from all over the country for this procedure.

We are also a referral centre for Capsule Endoscopy which is available in only one other centre in the Republic.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Gastroenterologists

Prof Anthony O’ Connor (Gastroenterology Lead)
Prof Barbara Ryan
Prof Deirdre Mc Namara
Dr Niall Breslin
Dr Sarah O’ Donnell
Dr Syed Anwar
Dr Deirdre Mc Enroe Mullins (Locum)
Dr Fintan O’ Hara
Dr. Racquel Ballester

 IBD Nurse Specialists/CNM2

Helen Muldowney & Liz Cosgrave
IBD patient email- IBD.Service@TUH.ie
07.30-16.00 (01) 414 3855 or (01) 414 3144 (please leave voicemail or alternatively use our IBD email)

Gastroenterology Secretaries

01-4142091/01-4142386 for Outpatient Apts

What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a group of chronic lifelong conditions affecting the digestive tract. It includes both Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD) which are similar but affect different parts of the intestine. UC affects the inner lining of the large intestine while CD can affect any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. 

Treatment of IBD

Treatment for IBD can be simple and includes both local and oral medications. Treatment may also involve attending the hospital for infusions in the Rynd Infusion Suite. Often the condition can be managed in the community by the patients themselves with the help of community homecare nurse services and the IBD team.

Regular review by a specialist is recommended for complex therapies and disease. Surgery may be required in more challenging cases.

 Description of Department/ Service

The Department of Gastroenterology provides services for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, predominantly Crohns disease and Ulcerative Colitis and caters for over 3,000 patients in the catchment area.

Outpatient clinics are run by consultant gastroenterologists who can refer patients to IBD clinical nurse specialists for further education, support and treatment.

Location

The Adult IBD Department is located on the first floor (Level 2) in the Day Ward. Please check in for your appointment using the self-service kiosks in the front entrance of the hospital and follow the instructions printed on the ticket.

Referral Process All patients must be referred with a referral letter. All letters are triaged by a consultant gastroenterologist and an appointment is offered according to the clinical details provided in the referral letter.

Adult Referrals should be posted to the Central Registration Office.

Patient information & Useful links
www.ISCC.ie  (IBD Well App)
http://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk

Bowel Screening

BowelScreen – National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme

Bowel cancer is one of the three most commonly diagnosed cancers in Ireland, affecting both men and women. Each year, approximately 2,800 people in Ireland are diagnosed with bowel cancer.

To address this, the Government introduced the National Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme in 2012. The aim of the programme is to detect bowel cancer at an early stage, when treatment is most effective and recovery outcomes are improved. This national screening programme is known as BowelScreen and has since been rolled out across Ireland.

BowelScreen at Tallaght University Hospital (TUH)

Tallaght University Hospital is proud to be a designated screening centre for BowelScreen as part of the national programme. We are strongly committed to bowel cancer prevention, early detection, and the removal of polyps that may develop into cancer if left untreated.

The Hospital has a long-standing history in bowel cancer screening and was the first hospital in Ireland to pilot a bowel cancer screening programme. Our hospital laboratory was also the first in Ireland to introduce the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) and has significant experience and research expertise in this area.

Our BowelScreen service is delivered by a dedicated multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, and support staff who are committed to providing high-quality care in a welcoming and supportive environment. We place a strong emphasis on patient dignity, comfort, and holistic care throughout every stage of the screening process.

Our Team

Our BowelScreen service is supported by an experienced and highly skilled clinical team, including:

Consultant Gastroenterologists

Professor Anthony O’Connor
Professor Deirdre McNamara
Dr Fintan O’Hara

Consultant Surgeon

Mr Dara Kavanagh

Consultant Histopathologists

Dr Peter De La Harpe Golden
Dr Paul Crotty
Dr Dorinda Mullen
Dr Kevin O’Hare

Together, our team works closely to ensure safe, timely, and effective care for all patients participating in the BowelScreen programme at TUH.

The BowelScreen service is supported by a dedicated and experienced nursing team including;

Fiona Delaney, Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

Jennie Cawley, Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM2)

Bowel Screen CNS/CNM

Working alongside our endoscopy team, from reception through to discharge, we work closely with patients to ensure high-quality, safe, and compassionate care throughout the BowelScreen journey.

The BowelScreen CNS and CNM support patients at every stage of the BowelScreen programme including;

• Acting as a key point of contact from the first step following an abnormal FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test)
• Coordinating referrals for colonoscopy or other appropriate services
• Managing surveillance where ongoing follow-up is required
• Communicating results clearly and sensitively
• Supporting patients through discharge from the programme

How to Contact Us

BowelScreen – Tallaght University Hospital

📞 Phone: 01 414 4070

📧 Email: BowelScreen@tuh.ie

To register for the national BowelScreen programme:

National Screening Service

📞 Freephone: 1800 454 555

🌐 Website: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/bowel-screening

Information and Patient Resources

Helpful information leaflets and videos - available in several languages - can be found at the links below:

Colonoscopy information:

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/bowel-screening/colonoscopy

BowelScreen patient information resources:

https://www.bowelscreen.ie/bowelscreen-information-resources.132.html

GI Physiology

The Gastrointestinal function lab (G. I. Lab) is situated within Gastroenterology on level 2 of Tallaght hospital. The highly specialised technology available in the GI Lab helps Doctors to better diagnose and manage a variety of gastrointestinal disease.

 Common tests and procedures performed in the GI Lab:

 Oesophageal Manometry

A real time pressure analysis of oesophageal function performed by expert GI Physiologists.  Commonly employed for the investigation of:

            Gastro-oesophageal Reflux

            Achalasia

            Nutcracker Oesophagus

            PreOperative assessments

• 24 Hour pH Monitoring

An ambulatory overnight diagnostic procedure to measure total oesophageal acid exposure through small nasal canulas placed and analysed by our highly trained GI Physiologists.  This procedure is useful in assessing:

1.      Severity of Gastro-oesophageal Reflux

2.      Suitability for surgery

• Capsule Endoscopy

A revolutionary procedure which allows images of the gut to be transmitted from a small ingestable capsule as it travels through the alimentary canal.  This non-invasive, day procedure is performed by expert physiologists and doctors.

Tallaght Hospital is the national referral centre for all Capsule Endoscopy procedures and is an international leader in Capsule related research. Available capsule procedures include:           

1. Small Bowel Endoscopy
2. Patency Capsules
3. PillCam Colonoscopy

• 13C Urea Breath Test

This non-invasive test checks for the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach. It is a quick test (approx 30 minutes) and involves drinking a glass of orange juice and giving a sample of breath, then swallowing a tablet labelled with carbon 13. After a 30 minutes wait another breath sample is taken.

If the carbon 13 is present in the second sample it indicates the presence of Helicobacter Pylori. This can then be treated with a course of antibiotics from your referring GP.

Urea Breath Test Patient Information Leaflet.pdf (size 85.9 KB)

Eating for a Healthier Tummy - A simple guide to help reduce abdominal fat and support liver and reflux health

Fibre, Constipation & Healthy Bow Habits - A simple guide to help your gut work better

Air Swallowing 2025

Looking After Your Throat & Voice

Oesophaegeal Dysphagia

Diaphragmatic Belly Breathing

Guide to reflux

Colon Capsule Endoscopy Patient Information Booklet

Endoscopic Ultrasound Patient Information Leaflet

Insertion of Oesophagael Stent Patient Information Leaflet

Insertion of Colon Stent Patient Information Leaflet

Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy Patient Information Booklet

Hereditary Haemochromatosis

Incidence

Hereditary Haemochromatosis is Ireland’s most common inherited disease and affects thousands of Irish adults. For someone to develop Haemochromatosis both their mother and father will have a defective gene.

In Europe as a whole between 1 in 300 and 1 in 400 people have the potential to develop iron overload. In Ireland by contrast recent studies show that the proportion of the population with susceptibility to iron overload is the highest in the world. 1 in 5 Irish people are carriers of the gene, and 1 in 83 people have two genes.

Signs and Symptoms

 The most common symptoms are:

• Chronic fatigue, tiredness or lack of energy.
• Joint pain, especially the first 2 finger joints but can be in any joint in the body.
• Abdominal pain.
• Sexual dysfunction - impotence is common in males and decreased libido in both males and females.
• Skin pigmentation - many patients present with bronzing of the skin.
• Palpitations.

Many patients find that these symptoms improve following the lowering of their iron but unfortunately this isn’t the case for everyone.

Diagnosis

A simple blood test, taken when you are fasting, is the best way to test if you have too much iron in your blood.

If these tests are above the normal level, a genetic test (a blood test) can be carried out to confirm Hereditary Haemochromatosis.

Your doctor may wish to send you for other tests to check for any damage caused by the raised iron levels in your body, such as:

 •          Further blood tests

•          Liver biopsy

•          CT/MRI scan

•          Ultrasound

•          ECG

Treatment in the Haemochromatosis Clinic in Tallaght Hospital

The Haemochromatosis Clinic was set up in 2010 and is a nurse led clinic, under the care of Consultant Hepatologist and Gastroenterologist Dr. Niall Breslin.

Treatment of haemochromatosis is relatively simple and very effective. It involves the regular removal of blood, known as Venesection or Phlebotomy therapy, and is much the same method as is used for blood donation.

When referred for treatment you will be contacted by a nurse to arrange an appointment for Venesection and to give you instructions on what to do prior to coming in for your appointment. You may need to attend once a week for venesection, until your iron levels return to a normal level. Blood samples will be taken regularly to monitor your progress. After your iron levels have returned to normal, you will need to have regular blood tests, usually every 3-4 months. The need for further venesection will be based on the results of your iron levels in these regular blood tests.