Consultant Paediatrician
M.B., B.Ch, B.Sc.(hons), FRCPCH,

 

 

 

 

I trained at the University Hospital of Wales and graduated in 1985. After pre-registration posts I spent a year in adult medicine (respiratory, gastroenterology and elderly care). I started post graduate paediatric training in 1987 in teaching hospitals in both Cardiff and Leeds. This included a period of time in research looking at aspects of neonatal pain and sedation, in the setting of a neonatal intensive care unit. I held a lecturer post in paediatrics at the University Hospital of Wales working in both neonatal and paediatric gastroenterology departments. I was heavily involved with undergraduate teaching and examining during that time. 

Following completion of my postgraduate training I was appointed consultant paediatrician at Gloucestershire Royal in 1996. I worked in neonatal medicine until 2005. I still maintain a strong interest in general paediatrics and in addition I now provide a service for paediatric gastroenterology in the county. In this capacity I work closely with paediatric gastroenterologists in neighbouring tertiary centres. (See below for guidance on paediatric gastroenterology referrals). 

Having been Foundation Programme Director for Gloucester for 2 years I still maintain a significant input to Postgraduate Medical Education. I am also involved in paediatric teaching through the Gloucestershire Academy. 

Outpatient Services

General Paediatric Outpatient Clinics take place with Dr Rushforth at: -

Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
• Secretary 0300 422 8494

Paediatric Gastroenterology Clinics take place monthy with Dr. Rushforth at the following sites: -

Cheltenham General Hospital
• Secretary 0300 422 8494

Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
• Secretary 0300 422 8494

Outpatient Booking Office 0300 422 6949 

Referral Guide for Paediatric Gastroenterology

Any patient where the GP clearly indicates there is any of the following should ideally be seen in a gastro clinic.

• a high index of suspicion of inflammatory bowel disease (especially where there is positive FH)
• significant GOR with clear complications eg failure to thrive, chestiness
• symptoms to suggest malabsorption (unless CF suspected)
• diarrhoea lasting over 2 weeks
• bloody diarrhoea and definitely those persisting for over 2 weeks as even if stool cultures are positive - the child may have UC
• strong suspicion of coeliac disease/positive screening

Patients with recurrent abdominal pain or constipation should not be referred to paediatric gastroenterology clinics in first instance, but to a general clinic under the care of any of the paediatric consultants.

Children in whom endoscopy is required as part of diagnostic workup are referred to Bristol Children’s Hospital for this procedure (shared care), adolescents may be referred to the adult gastroenterologists in the county. 

Inpatient Services

All children requiring an overnight stay in Hospital under the care of Dr. Rushforth will be admitted to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. 

Consultant Timetable 

Location	Outpatients
Cheltenham General Sandford Road Cheltenham	Battledown Outpatients Tuesday am (Monthly) - Gastroenterology Clinic Tuesday am (4 times a year) - Coeliac Clinic
Gloucestershire Royal Great Western Road Gloucester	Children's Outpatients Tuesday am (Monthly) - Gastroenterology Clinic Thursday am  Tuesday am (4 times a year) - Coeliac Clinic

All Clinics are weekly unless otherwise stated. 

Conditions Treated

A variety of conditions, including: -

• All common general paediatric problems.
• Particular interest in gastroenterology and nutrition.
• Close links with Eating Disorder Team jointly managing patients with anorexia nervosa.