Digestive health in London: comprehensive private care
Digestive health plays a central role at our private clinic in London. Based in the heart of South Kensington, in the immediate vicinity of Knightsbridge, Kensington Clinic brings together a team of four consultant gastroenterologists. Each of them manages the full range of digestive disorders, from functional conditions to complex pathologies of the digestive tract, liver, bile ducts and pancreas.
Our approach is built on multidisciplinary collaboration, reinforced by our partnership with LGCL (Leaders in Gastrointestinal Care London), a consortium recognised across the United Kingdom for the excellence of its digestive care.
Consultations are available in English, French and Arabic depending on the practitioner, in person or by video, and accessible without a referral letter from your GP.
Digestive health
Understanding your digestive health: when to consult a gastro
enterologist
“Digestive health” is not limited to digestion in the strict sense. It covers the proper functioning of the entire digestive tract (oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon) and its associated organs (liver, bile ducts, pancreas). It also includes the gut microbiome, whose balance plays a major role in immunity and general inflammatory regulation.
Good digestive balance can be recognised through several concrete signals:
- Regular bowel movements, without effort or daily discomfort;
- Smooth digestion after meals, without chronic bloating or heartburn;
- A stable appetite and consistent food cravings;
- An overall constant energy level throughout the day;
- Skin and sleep quality largely undisturbed (digestive function is linked to skin health and circadian rhythm).
Conversely, certain clinical signs justify a specialist consultation:
- Daily bloating;
- Visible abdominal distension by the end of the day;
- Alternating diarrhoea and constipation;
- Persistent acid reflux despite treatment;
- Recurrent abdominal pain;
- Multiple food intolerances that develop progressively;
- Chronic post-meal fatigue, brain fog;
- Digestive bleeding;
- Unexplained weight loss;
- History of abdominal surgery, chronic gastritis or prolonged antibiotic use.
Need a specialist opinion ? If several of these signs apply to you, a specialist opinion is the most reliable way to reach a precise diagnosis and to orient your care pathway.
Our team of consultants covers a full range of sub-specialties, ensuring both a precise diagnosis and personalised guidance within days of your request.
Digestive conditions treated at Kensington Clinic
Digestive disorders cover a very wide spectrum of pathologies, from functional conditions to chronic organic diseases. Our specialists provide diagnostic and therapeutic management of the main conditions affecting the digestive tract.
Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain that persists, keeps coming back or wakes you up at night should never be dismissed. It may reflect a benign cause as well as a condition requiring prompt management.
Our team of four consultants offers a structured assessment (clinical interview, examination, targeted investigations) to identify the origin of the pain and propose an appropriate care plan.
Acid reflux (GORD)
Chronic gastro-oesophageal reflux, referred to as GORD in the UK, warrants specialist investigation when it persists despite medical treatment. At Kensington Clinic, our reflux specialists manage both classic and atypical forms (silent reflux, laryngopharyngeal reflux).
Management may include: upper digestive endoscopy, oesophageal pH monitoring, manometry or breath tests, depending on the indication.
Endoscopic procedures at our London clinic
Digestive endoscopy is the reference examination for directly visualising the digestive mucosa, reaching a reliable diagnosis and performing therapeutic actions (biopsies, polyp resection, treatment of bleeding). At Kensington Clinic in London, we offer the full range of endoscopic procedures in an environment designed for comfort and rapid access to results.
Private colonoscopy
Colonoscopy allows visual exploration of the colon and rectum using a thin, flexible endoscope. It is indicated in colorectal cancer screening, investigation of lower digestive bleeding, unexplained changes in bowel habits, and surveillance of previously resected polyps.
At our private London clinic, the procedure is performed under sedation by one of our consultant gastroenterologists, with rapid access to histological results.
Private gastroscopy (OGD)
Gastroscopy, also known as OGD (oesophagogastroduodenoscopy) or upper endoscopy, explores the upper part of the digestive tract (oesophagus, stomach, first portion of the duodenum). It is indicated in persistent reflux, dysphagia, chronic epigastric pain, surveillance of Barrett's oesophagus and early screening of upper digestive cancers.
We were among the first private clinics in London to adopt Ambu single-use endoscope technology, guaranteeing maximum safety and sterility.
Diagnostic tests and functional assessments
Beyond endoscopic examinations, certain functional digestive disorders (IBS, SIBO, dysbiosis) require specific non-invasive investigations. Kensington Clinic offers a range of diagnostic tests interpreted by a gastroenterologist, to distinguish an organic cause from a functional one and to build a targeted treatment plan.
SIBO breath test and IBS workup
The SIBO breath test (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) is a non-invasive respiratory examination that measures exhaled hydrogen and methane after ingestion of a sugar substrate. It makes it possible to objectify bacterial proliferation in the small intestine and to characterise its form (hydrogen, methane or mixed).
A significant proportion of patients diagnosed with IBS are thought to have underlying SIBO, which justifies a thorough investigation when first-line treatments prove insufficient.
Gut microbiome test
The gut microbiome test provides a precise mapping of the bacteria populating your digestive tract and insights into how they influence your overall health: digestion, immunity, gut-brain axis. It is prescribed in cases of chronic digestive disorders, unexplained extra-digestive symptoms, history of prolonged antibiotic courses or as part of a preventive approach.
At Kensington Clinic, the test is interpreted by Dr Owen Woghiren, consultant in chronic inflammatory bowel disease and clinical nutrition.
Booking will only be done through the reception, not online. Areas covered for Home Visits : Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. For other locations, please ask a quotation to the receptionists. Full payment is required at the time of booking for Home Visits.
Booking info:
A prepayment of £70 will be asked at the moment you book the appointment, the remaining will need to be settled on the day of your consultation
Cancellation Policy:
More than 72h before the consultation: Fully refunded
In between 72h & 48h: £70 prepayment will be kept
Less than 48h: Consultation fully charged
Our digestive health specialists in London
Our team dedicated to digestive health in London brings together four consultant gastroenterologists. All hold complementary sub-specialties and also practise at leading London hospitals.
Consultants | Sub-specialties | Languages |
|---|---|---|
Dr Akeel Alisa
| – Senior hepato-gastroenterology. – Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. – FRCP London, founder of LGCL. | – English
– Arabic
|
Dr David Simon
| – Hepato-pancreato-biliary endoscopy. – Complex conditions of the biliary tract and pancreas. – Trained at Saint-Antoine Paris and the Sorbonne. | – English
– French
|
Dr Noriko Suzuki
| – Advanced therapeutic endoscopy. – Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). – Honorary Consultant Specialist Endoscopist at St Mark’s since 2004. | – English
|
Dr Owen Woghiren
| – Chronic inflammatory bowel disease. – Clinical nutrition, gut microbiome. – Clinical lead at Barnet & Chase Farm. | – English
|
A centre of excellence: our LGCL partnership
Since 2022, Kensington Clinic has hosted a centre of excellence in gastroenterology in partnership with LGCL (Leaders in Gastrointestinal Care London). This UK-recognised consortium allows our [four consultant gastroenterologists](lien Private Gastroenterologist) to collaborate with a wider team (hepatologists, digestive surgeons, oncologists) and to quickly refer complex cases to further investigations or, where relevant, to university clinical protocols.
Operationally, this collaboration ensures a continuity of care that is rare within the London private sector. From the first diagnosis through to any surgical intervention and post-operative follow-up, your pathway remains coordinated by the same referring team.
Consultations in English, French and Arabic
In London as anywhere else, a digestive health consultation touches on personal topics: everyday symptoms, eating habits, functional disorders sometimes long-standing. Being able to express yourself in your mother tongue is not a luxury, it is a factor of diagnostic quality. The nuance of a sensation, the precise word for describing a pain, the cultural context of a dietary habit: all of this comes through more accurately in the language in which you think.
At Kensington Clinic, our gastroenterologists consult in English, French and Arabic depending on the practitioner, a rarity in London which makes our clinic a natural point of access for the French-speaking and Arabic-speaking communities, as well as for international patients who prefer to be seen in a language other than English.
Booking your digestive health consultation in the heart of London
Kensington Clinic is located at 2 North Terrace, London SW3 2BA, a 6-minute walk from South Kensington station and 8 minutes from Knightsbridge. Our clinic welcomes patients from Greater London as well as an international patient base.
Booking terms: a £70 deposit is requested at the time of booking. The balance is settled on the day of the consultation.
Cancellation policy:
- More than 72 hours in advance: full refund.
- Between 48 and 72 hours: the £70 deposit is retained.
- Less than 48 hours: the full consultation fee is charged.
Health insurance: Kensington Clinic is recognised by most major private health insurers and expatriate schemes, including Aviva, Axa, Bupa UK, Bupa International, Cigna, Healix, WPA and Vitality. We recommend checking your cover directly with your insurer before your appointment.
Fees: consultation fees vary depending on the type of consultation and the practitioner. They are listed on each specialty page.
To book an appointment at Kensington Clinic, three channels are available:
- Phone: 020 7589 9321
- Email: contact@lamaisonmedicale.co.uk
- Online booking via our appointment system
FAQ
What is digestive health?
Digestive health refers to the proper functioning of the entire digestive system, from the digestive tract (oesophagus, stomach, intestines) to its associated organs (liver, bile ducts, pancreas), as well as the balance of the gut microbiome.
Good digestive balance translates into:
- Regular bowel movements without daily discomfort;
- Smooth digestion, without chronic bloating or heartburn;
- A stable appetite and a constant energy level;
- Undisturbed sleep and skin.
Beyond digestion in the strict sense, digestive balance contributes to immunity, inflammatory regulation and gut-brain axis exchanges.
What are the signs of poor digestive health?
An imbalance of the digestive system, sometimes described in English-language literature as “poor digestive health”, can manifest through several clinical signals:
- Daily bloating, visible abdominal distension;
- Alternating diarrhoea and constipation;
- Persistent acid reflux despite treatment;
- Recurrent abdominal pain, sometimes at night;
- Multiple food intolerances that develop progressively;
- Post-prandial fatigue, brain fog;
- Digestive bleeding or unexplained weight loss.
When these signs persist for several weeks, a specialist opinion is recommended to rule out an organic cause and to orient management.
How can I check my digestive health?
Assessing your digestive function combines a self-evaluation of daily symptoms and, where necessary, targeted medical examinations.
Three levels of investigation are possible:
- Clinical consultation with a gastroenterologist: detailed history, abdominal examination, assessment of risk factors.
- Functional tests: SIBO breath test, gut microbiome test, food intolerance testing.
- Endoscopic examinations: colonoscopy (lower tract) or gastroscopy (upper tract), depending on the symptoms.
At Kensington Clinic in London, the choice of examinations depends on the clinical picture and is prescribed by one of our digestive health specialists after the initial consultation.
How can I improve my digestive health?
Improving your digestive balance relies on several complementary levers, to be adapted according to your profile and symptoms:
- Diet: prioritise a varied, fibre-rich diet, limit ultra-processed foods, keep a regular meal rhythm.
- Hydration: maintain sufficient daily hydration.
- Physical activity: regular activity supports transit and microbiome balance.
- Stress management: the gut-brain axis is particularly sensitive to chronic stress.
- Sleep: quality sleep contributes to digestive hormonal regulation.
- Avoid prolonged self-medication (proton pump inhibitors, laxatives, antibiotics).
When symptoms persist despite these adjustments, a specialist digestive health consultation makes it possible to reach a precise diagnosis and to tailor management.
Kensington International Clinic – Private medical care at the heart of London, with leading French and international practitioners.
