Lower GI services

The Royal Liverpool Lower GI  service offers a comprehensive specialist diagnostic and management service for patients with diseases of the small bowel, colon and the rectum. This includes but is not limited to the management of inflammatory bowel disease such as Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and bowel cancer.

The IBD team at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital is a tertiary referral centre and includes 7 Consultants, three specialist nurses, three research nurses and four middle grades doctors (Specialist Registrars). The IBD team is well supported by four Radiologists who have a special interest in bowel imaging and four colorectal surgeons with a specific interest in IBD surgery.

Clinic contact

The department has a long standing interest in clinical trial, particularly in new therapies for inflammatory bowel disease.

We are involved in several clinical trials of new therapies for IBD at present. Some of these are local trials whilst others are multi-centre national and international trials. We have a dedicated, experienced research nurse team led by, Kate Martin, who is involved in co-ordinating trials and reviewing trial patients. Some of the current clinical trials include:

• Triple antibiotics vs budesonide in active Crohn’s disease – A local trial for people with active Crohn’s disease. The aim of the trial is to work out how a 3 antibiotic treatment compares with standard steroid treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned either A) 3 antibiotics (ciprofloxacin,trimethoprim and metronidazole for 10 weeks or B) budesonide (a standard steroid therapy for Crohn’s disease) for 12 weeks.
• ASTIClite: a trial of stem cell transplantation in Crohn’s disease. This trial is suitable for patients who have failed multiple previous treatments
• PROBIT: A locally initiated study, funded by Crohn’s and colitis UK, which looks novel markers of response to biological treatment in ulcerative colitis
• BERGAMONT: A trial of Etrolizumab, a type of biological therapy, in Crohn’s disease
• IASO: A trial of Anakinra, a biological therapy, in severely ill patients with ulcerative colitis.
• PROFILE: A UK wide study which looks at biomarker directed treatment in patients with Crohn’s disease

There are several further trials in development. You could discuss your suitability for participation in trials during your clinic appointment or contact one of the research nurses.

• If you are having symptoms related to your IBD please call 0151 706 2659.
• If you have a query regarding Endoscopy please call 0151 706 2720.
• If you have a query regarding a Biologics Infusion appointment please call 0151 706 3850.
• To cancel or change a Clinic appointment please call 0151 706 (3849) or (3553) (5897) (3357).

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