Dr Udit Mittal

I am a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Endoscopist at Oxford University Hospitals and see private patients at Nuffield Health The Manor Hospital in Oxford. I provide specialist assessment and treatment for a wide range of digestive symptoms and gastrointestinal conditions and perform gastroscopy, colonoscopy, therapeutic endoscopy and bowel cancer screening.

I am nationally accredited as an NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme colonoscopist. This accreditation requires colonoscopists to meet defined national standards for procedural quality, safety and the detection of precancerous bowel polyps.

Many of the people who come to see me have been experiencing abdominal or digestive symptoms for some time. They may be concerned that something important has been missed, may have received conflicting advice or may continue to have significant symptoms despite previously reassuring blood tests, scans or endoscopic investigations.
I understand how disruptive, worrying and sometimes difficult to discuss digestive symptoms can be. My approach is to listen carefully, understand how the symptoms are affecting you and explain the possible causes in clear, straightforward language.

I aim to provide a thorough but proportionate assessment. Not every digestive symptom requires an invasive investigation, but important conditions should be considered carefully and not overlooked. Where investigations are needed, I explain what each test can and cannot tell us, the available alternatives and how the results may influence treatment.

My goal is for you to leave the consultation understanding what may be causing your symptoms, what the next steps are and why those steps have been recommended.

Digestive symptoms and gastrointestinal conditions

I regularly assess patients with abdominal pain, bloating, visible abdominal distension, irritable bowel syndrome, rectal bleeding  and disorders of gut–brain interaction.

I also treat persistent diarrhoea, constipation, altered bowel habit, bile acid diarrhoea, microscopic colitis and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

My upper gastrointestinal practice includes heartburn, acid reflux, indigestion, nausea, swallowing difficulties, eosinophilic oesophagitis, Barrett’s oesophagus, autoimmune gastritis and coeliac disease.

I care for patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and investigate symptoms or findings including rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, iron-deficiency anaemia, unexplained weight loss and a positive or abnormal FIT bowel test.

A particular interest of mine is helping patients who continue to experience significant digestive symptoms despite previous investigations being reassuring. In these circumstances, I consider whether further testing is genuinely necessary while also addressing altered gut sensitivity, changes in digestive motility and disorders of gut–brain interaction where appropriate.

Gastroscopy, colonoscopy and bowel cancer prevention

I perform diagnostic and therapeutic gastrointestinal endoscopy, including gastroscopy, colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, polypectomy and endoscopic removal of gastrointestinal polyps where appropriate.

My endoscopy practice has a particular focus on:

• High-quality gastroscopy and colonoscopy
• Investigation of rectal bleeding, iron-deficiency anaemia and positive FIT results
• Detection and removal of bowel polyps
• Bowel cancer screening and prevention
• Early detection of gastrointestinal disease
• Surveillance for people with a family history of gastrointestinal cancer or polyposis
• Patient comfort, clear communication and careful follow-up

I recognise that many patients feel apprehensive about undergoing an endoscopy. Before recommending a procedure, I explain why it may be helpful, its potential benefits and limitations, and whether there are reasonable alternatives. When an endoscopy is appropriate, I aim to make the experience as comfortable and reassuring as possible.

Training and professional roles

I qualified in medicine in 2006 and completed my postgraduate training in internal medicine in Sheffield. I subsequently undertook specialist training in gastroenterology and gastrointestinal endoscopy within the Oxford region before being appointed as a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Oxford University Hospitals.

I hold Fellowships of both the Royal College of Physicians of London and the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

Alongside my clinical practice, I represent Oxfordshire on the British Society of Gastroenterology’s Clinical Services and Standards Committee. I also represent Oxford and the Thames Valley on the Royal College of Physicians’ New Consultants Committee and contribute as a Regional Specialty Adviser in gastroenterology for the Royal College of Physicians.

These roles allow me to contribute to clinical standards, service development, professional education and the continuing improvement of gastroenterology care.

Arranging an appointment

I welcome both insured and self-funding patients. A GP referral is helpful but is not always required.

Face-to-face consultations are available at Nuffield Health The Manor Hospital in Oxford. Evening, telephone and video consultations may also be available by prior arrangement.

Further information about my practice, gastroscopy, colonoscopy, digestive health conditions and patient feedback is available on my website.