![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0_Photo-Attached-Dr-Sarveson-Rajkumar-consultant-gastroenterologist-and-endoscopist.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIt launched in December<\/p>\n
Gary Porter West Midlands Content Editor for StokeOnTrentLive<\/p>\n
15:00, 15 Aug 2026<\/p>\n
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Dr Sarveson Rajkumar, consultant gastroenterologist and endoscopist<\/p>\n
A pioneering Royal Stoke procedure is helping patients with severe swallowing difficulties. University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) is now one of only five NHS Trusts in the UK offering the minimally invasive procedure.<\/p>\n
Patients with a pharyngeal pouch and those experiencing swallowing difficulties caused by a tight or overactive cricopharyngeal muscle can now benefit from the new procedure called Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM). Since the service launched at the Royal Stoke in December 2025, eight patients have successfully undergone the procedure.<\/p>\n
Dr Sarveson Rajkumar, consultant gastroenterologist and endoscopist, said: \u201cThis gives hope to people who previously had limited or no treatment options. Introducing this service means patients can now access highly specialised treatment closer to home instead of travelling elsewhere, and in some cases it provides an option where there previously wasn\u2019t one.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany of these patients have severe swallowing difficulties which can have a huge impact on their quality of life. They may struggle to eat and drink, lose weight, develop repeated chest infections or even require tube feeding. By carrying out the procedure through an endoscope, we can treat the tight muscle causing the problem without making any external cuts. It also provides an option for patients who are not suitable for conventional surgery.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the first patients to benefit was Susan Campbell, 69, from Flash, whose swallowing difficulties had \u201ctaken over her life\u201d. Susan, a retired carer, said: \u201cBefore the operation I just kept choking on anything I ate. I would cough and cough until my eyes streamed, and it became very difficult to swallow food.<\/p>\n
“It affected my day-to-day life so much that I didn\u2019t like going out anymore, I\u2019d refuse invitations for meals because I hated the thought of eating or choking in front of people. Having this procedure has absolutely changed my life, it has given me my confidence back. Now I\u2019m completely back to normal and eating as I used to again. The care at Royal Stoke was lovely, and I\u2019m so glad I was able to have it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Unlike conventional surgery, the procedure is carried out entirely through an endoscope passed through the mouth meaning there are no external incisions or scars. It provides an alternative for patients who are not suitable for standard surgery because of their anatomy, previous treatment or other medical conditions.<\/p>\n
UHNM has carried out more than 120 POEM procedures since 2020, giving surgeons the experience to safely expand the service to treat more complex swallowing disorders affecting the upper food pipe and throat. The service currently treats patients from across Staffordshire and surrounding areas, with plans to expand.<\/p>\n
Dr Rajkumar added: \u201cWe\u2019ve made an excellent start with positive outcomes from our first patients. As the service grows we hope to increase capacity and in time develop UHNM as a regional centre for this specialist procedure. Seeing patients regain the ability to swallow and return to eating normally is incredibly rewarding.”<\/p>\n