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Endoscopy · London

Private colonoscopy in London, with nothing sugar-coated.

Change in bowel habit, blood you can’t explain, or a family history that keeps you up at night - this is the test that actually answers the question.

A consultant gastroenterologist talking a patient through a colonoscopy in a London clinic

Indicative pricing

What a private colonoscopy costs in London.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

£1,400-£2,400, with findings on the day.

Procedure Indicative range
Diagnostic colonoscopy (with sedation) £1,400–£2,400
Colonoscopy with polyp removal £1,800–£3,200
Flexible sigmoidoscopy (lower bowel) £900–£1,600
Gastroscopy & colonoscopy together £2,200–£3,600
CT colonography (no camera) £600–£1,100
Consultation only (to decide) £200–£350

Prices vary by unit, the depth of sedation, and whether polyps are removed and sent for analysis.

The problem

The prep is the hard part. Everyone downplays it.

Most people are far more worried about the bowel preparation than the procedure - and they are right to be. The day before is the hard part; the day itself can be made as easy as possible with proper sedation and an experienced consultant.

  • Dreading the prep?

    Knowing exactly what to expect makes it more bearable.

  • Anxious about sedation?

    Most people remember almost nothing. The options can be discussed before you commit.

  • Not sure you need one?

    Sometimes a sigmoidoscopy or a scan is the better first step. A good clinician will say so.

What it shows

Find the reason that matches your symptom.

A colonoscopy answers questions no other bowel test can - and treats as it goes. These are the most common reasons people have one.

  • Bleeding from the bottom

    The clearest way to find the cause, from haemorrhoids to something needing treatment.

  • A change in bowel habit

    Persistent looser, more frequent or altered bowel movements that will not settle.

  • Polyps - found and removed

    Polyps can be removed during the same procedure, before they ever become cancer.

  • Bowel cancer detection

    The gold-standard test, and the reason screening saves lives.

  • Crohn’s & colitis

    Diagnoses and monitors inflammatory bowel disease, with biopsies taken.

  • Ongoing abdominal pain

    Investigates persistent lower abdominal pain when other tests are unclear.

  • Family history

    Earlier and more frequent surveillance if bowel cancer runs in your family.

  • Unexplained anaemia

    Low iron with no obvious cause often warrants a look at the bowel.

Procedure types

Not all bowel tests are the same.

What each option on your referral is actually for.

  • Diagnostic colonoscopy

    A flexible camera examines the whole large bowel, usually under sedation.

  • Therapeutic colonoscopy

    Polyps are removed and biopsies taken during the same procedure.

  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy

    Examines only the lower bowel - quicker, with lighter preparation.

  • Gastroscopy combined

    Upper and lower endoscopy in one sedated visit, if both are needed.

  • CT colonography

    A scan-based alternative when a camera test is unsuitable - but polyps cannot be removed.

  • Surveillance colonoscopy

    Planned follow-up after polyps, cancer or for a strong family history.

  • Sedation options

    From light conscious sedation to deeper sedation - discussed beforehand.

  • Bowel preparation

    The drink that clears the bowel. Unpleasant, but essential.

Safety and eligibility

Very safe - but there is real planning to do.

Colonoscopy is very safe, but there are real things to plan: the preparation, sedation and getting home, and any blood-thinning medication.

  • Bowel preparation

    The part people dread. You drink a strong laxative the day before and stay near a toilet. It is not pleasant, but it is essential.

  • Sedation

    Most people have conscious sedation and remember little. You will need someone to take you home.

  • You cannot drive afterwards

    Sedation means no driving for 24 hours, and someone should stay with you that night.

  • Risks - perforation

    A tear in the bowel wall is rare, around 1 in 1,000, and lower for purely diagnostic tests.

  • Risks - bleeding

    Minor bleeding can occur after polyp removal. Significant bleeding is uncommon.

  • Blood-thinning medication

    Warfarin, DOACs and clopidogrel may need pausing beforehand.

  • Diabetes medication

    Fasting and bowel prep affect blood sugar. Clear instructions for insulin and tablets are needed.

  • Pregnancy

    Colonoscopy is usually deferred in pregnancy unless urgent.

  • Time off

    Plan the prep day at home and the day itself off work. Most people are back to normal the next day.

Reading your report

An endoscopy report can look intimidating. It isn't.

However much was examined, the report keeps to the same four parts.

A London consultant gastroenterologist reviewing endoscopy images

A quiet reminder

You will be told the headline on the day - the biopsy detail takes a little longer.

If anything is unclear, ask the reporting clinician to talk you through it before your follow-up.

  1. 01 Header

    Your details and the question

    Your details, what was examined, and the symptoms behind the referral.

  2. 02 Technique

    How the procedure was done

    How far the camera reached, the quality of the bowel preparation, and what sedation was used.

  3. 03 Findings

    What the endoscopist saw

    A description of the bowel lining segment by segment, including any polyps found and removed, and where biopsies were taken.

  4. 04 Impression

    The conclusion: read this first

    The conclusion, and when you need another colonoscopy - read this first. Biopsy results follow separately.

Recognised by major UK insurers

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Frequently asked

Common questions about colonoscopy.

Quick answers on cost, the bowel prep, sedation, risks and results.

  • How long does a colonoscopy actually take?

    The procedure itself is about 30 to 45 minutes, but plan for three to four hours at the unit once check-in, sedation and recovery are included. Most people are home by lunchtime after a morning appointment.

  • Does a colonoscopy hurt?

    Most people feel little or nothing. Conscious sedation is standard and many remember almost none of it. You may feel bloating from the air used to open the bowel.

  • How much does a private colonoscopy cost in London?

    Removing polyps or combining with a gastroscopy costs more.

  • Will I be asleep?

    Usually you have conscious sedation rather than a general anaesthetic - drowsy and comfortable but not fully asleep. Deeper sedation can be arranged if you are very anxious.

  • Can I drive home afterwards?

    No. Sedation means you cannot drive for 24 hours, and you need someone to take you home and ideally stay with you overnight.

  • What are the risks?

    It is a very safe procedure. Perforation of the bowel is rare, around 1 in 1,000, and bleeding after polyp removal is uncommon. Your gastroenterologist will discuss both with you beforehand.

  • What if they find a polyp?

    That is one of the main reasons to have the test - polyps are usually removed there and then, before they can ever become cancer. They are sent for analysis and results follow in 7-14 days.

  • Is CT colonography a good alternative?

    It is a reasonable option if a camera test is unsuitable, but it uses radiation and polyps cannot be removed. If it finds something, you usually need a colonoscopy anyway.

  • Do I need a referral?

    A colonoscopy usually follows a consultation first, so the right test is chosen and your medication reviewed.

  • When will I get the results?

    The endoscopist usually tells you what they saw on the day, once you are awake. Biopsy and polyp results take 7-14 days, and they should be explained to you.

Related tests

Looking for a different test?

In practice, in London

What colonoscopy looks like on the ground in London

With colonoscopy, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. On the NHS, colonoscopy typically sits behind a triage step and a wait that can stretch from a few weeks into months. In London’s private sector, the same appointment often lands within days. That speed matters when symptoms are disrupting work, sleep, or a plan you’d already committed to - and it is a common reason people look at private options.

The mechanics are straightforward: a consultant appointment, any tests done at a nearby CQC-registered site, and a written report back within a few days. London’s density of private diagnostics - Marylebone, the City, Chelsea, Canary Wharf - means most patients can find something that fits around work without a cross-town trek. For colonoscopy specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

Honesty about expectations is part of the job. A private colonoscopy appointment in London won’t change the underlying medicine - the guidelines, the consultants, and the equipment are largely the same as on the NHS. What it changes is speed, continuity, and the amount of time you get to actually talk through the findings. Check that any consultant you see is on the GMC specialist register and that the facility is registered with the CQC.