Pillcam (or capsule endoscopy) investigates the possibility of small intestinal disorders. It is used when standard gastroscopy and colonoscopy haven’t revealed an explanation for anaemia, bleeding, abdominal pain or diarrhoea. The test is done as an office procedure and does not require sedation.

The patient swallows the Pillcam and can then leave the office with a over- the -shoulder recorder. The capsule travels through and sends pictures to the recorder as it goes. The images are then loaded onto a computer and reviewed. The Pillcam doesn’t need to be retrieved and is flushed out to sea!

Medicare has specific criteria for funding.