This is sponsored content for Victoria Street Private Hospital.
Access to timely diagnostic procedures can make all the difference when it comes to gastrointestinal health.
At Victoria Street Private Hospital (VSPH), Wollongong, patients now have access to streamlined, specialist-led endoscopy services close to home – eliminating the need to travel to Sydney or face lengthy delays.
Since opening in October 2023, VSPH has continued to expand its surgical services to meet the needs of the fast-growing Illawarra community.
One of the most significant developments has been the growth of its modern Endoscopy Unit, providing gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures in a purpose-built, fully accredited private hospital setting.
Endoscopy plays a vital role in diagnosing and managing conditions such as reflux, abdominal pain, iron deficiency, bowel changes, inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer screening.
Understanding that time matters, VSPH has implemented an Open Access Endoscopy Pathway – an efficient referral model designed to improve patient access to care.
Open Access Endoscopy to VSPH allows General Practitioners to refer appropriate patients directly for gastroscopy or colonoscopy without requiring an initial specialist consultation, where clinically suitable.
Every referral is carefully reviewed by a VSPH credentialed specialist to ensure clinical appropriateness and patient safety. Patients are contacted by experienced nursing staff who provide thorough Pre-Admission screening, bowel preparation instructions (if required), and clear procedural information.
All endoscopic procedures at VSPH are performed by accredited specialists in a modern operating theatre environment, supported by experienced anaesthetists and perioperative nurses.
The hospital operates in accordance with the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, ensuring rigorous clinical governance, infection control processes, and patient-centred care.
As a private hospital, VSPH offers:
Patients can feel reassured knowing they are receiving specialist-level care in a facility designed specifically for procedural excellence.
The Open Access model has also strengthened collaboration between VSPH and local General Practitioners. By reducing unnecessary barriers to diagnostic testing, GPs are supported to manage their patients efficiently while maintaining continuity of care.
Importantly, specialist oversight remains central to the process – combining accessibility with high clinical standards.
VSPH continues to invest in services that enhance healthcare capacity within the Illawarra.
By expanding endoscopy services and introducing innovative referral pathways, VSPH is ensuring local patients have access to timely, high-quality gastrointestinal care – without leaving their community.
For more information about endoscopy services or referral pathways, visit the VSPH website or call (02) 4221 9696.