Common questions, answered

Appointments and your first visit

• How do I make an appointment?

  Telephone the rooms on 010 900 4380, send an administrative WhatsApp to 060 709 8255, email admin@gi-bolon.com, or use the enquiry form on the Contact page. Consultations run Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:30.

• Do I need a referral to see Dr Bolon?

  A referral is welcomed and helpful but not always required. Your medical scheme may need a referral before it will pay benefits or authorise a procedure, so it is worth checking with your scheme or the rooms first.

• What should I bring to my first consultation?

  Bring your referral letter (if you have one), a list of your current medication, any recent blood results or scans, prior endoscopy reports where available, and your medical aid details.

• What if I need to cancel or reschedule?

  Please give the rooms at least 24 hours’ notice if you cannot keep an appointment, so the time can be offered to another patient.

Costs and medical aid

• Do you deal with medical aids?

  Yes. The practice submits claims to medical schemes on patients’ behalf. Benefit confirmation and pre-authorisation requirements differ by scheme and by procedure, and the practice team will guide you through what your scheme requires before any procedure is booked.

• Will my procedure need pre-authorisation?

  Many procedures do, but the requirement varies by scheme and procedure. The practice team confirms your scheme’s authorisation before a procedure or infusion is booked.

• How much does a consultation or procedure cost?

  Fees depend on the consultation or procedure and on your scheme. Please contact the rooms for information on fees and billing before your appointment.

Procedures and sedation

• Are gastroscopy and colonoscopy done under sedation?

  Yes. Both are performed under sedation for your comfort. Because of the sedation you may not drive for the rest of the day, and you will need someone to take you home.

• Can I drive myself home after a procedure?

  No. After sedation you may not drive for the rest of the day. Please arrange for someone to collect you and take you home.

• How do I prepare for a gastroscopy or colonoscopy?

  For a gastroscopy you need an empty stomach, so no food or drink for the hours specified in your booking instructions. For a colonoscopy a clean bowel is essential, so you will be given specific bowel-preparation instructions when your procedure is booked. Detailed, personalised preparation instructions are provided by the rooms; please follow them exactly, as poor preparation is the commonest reason a colonoscopy must be repeated.

• What is capsule endoscopy?

  Capsule endoscopy uses a small swallowed camera capsule to photograph the small intestine, the part of the bowel beyond the reach of standard endoscopes. It is most often used to investigate unexplained anaemia or bleeding. The practice provides full instructions when the study is booked.

Results, follow-up and infusions

• When will I get my results?

  You receive a report after your procedure and the findings are explained to you on the day. Where biopsies are taken, histology results usually take longer than a week to become available, although turnaround times can vary. Once the report has been received, the results and any recommended follow-up can be discussed with the practice.

• What happens at an infusion appointment?

  Infusions are given in the practice infusion suite by arrangement, without hospital admission. Most iron and biologic infusions take between 30 minutes and a few hours, and you can usually return to normal activities the same day. The team confirms your scheme’s authorisation before your appointment.

Contacting the practice and emergencies

• Can I ask a medical question through the website or WhatsApp?

  The enquiry form, email and WhatsApp are for administrative appointment enquiries only. Please do not send symptoms, test results or other clinical information through them, and keep clinical questions for your consultation. This website is not monitored for emergencies.

• What should I do in an emergency?

  This website and the practice’s messaging channels are not monitored for emergencies. In a medical emergency, go to your nearest emergency department or call 112 from a mobile phone or 10177 for an ambulance.