Dr Bruce Macfarlane

I qualified from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa in 1982. After a House Officer post, followed by compulsory military training, I then completed over 3 years a PhD in Iron Absorption at the MRC Iron and Red Cell Metabolism Unit. I moved to the United Kingdom in 1989. I trained in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Royal Free Hospital as a registrar in Gastroenterology, and then as Lecturer in Hepatology obtaining a CCST (certificate of completion of specialist training ) in Gastroenterology and General Medicine in 1996.

I obtained a consultant position in Gastroenterology at Mt Vernon and Watford (now West Herts NHS Trust) in 1996. I was initially the sole gastroenterology consultant with no trainees and a shared endoscopy Unit. The West Herts Unit has, over the years, been built up into a extremely efficient operation, offering a diverse range of services, with a dedicated Gastro ward, 8 trainees and a much expanded endoscopy unit. My sub-specialty interest is in colonoscopy and advanced therapeutic colonoscopy. From my Royal Free training, I also have an interest in the evaluation of abnormal liver function tests and from my PhD, I have an interest in the evaluation of iron deficiency anaemia.

I have been a consultant in private practice since 1997, managing most areas of gastroenterology for the past 20 years.

I have been performing diagnostic and therapeutic upper GIT endoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy since 1989. I gained accreditation as a NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Colonoscopist in 2008. Through this program, I am subject to rigorous and regular Quality Assurance. I have a particular interest in the management of colonic polyp cancers, and in advanced therapeutic colonoscopy for large benign polyps. I do a dedicated EMR (endoscopic mucosal resection) list each week in the NHS for removal of large colonic polyps, thus avoiding surgery, and also provide in the NHS a colonic stenting service for the palliation of obstructing colon cancers. In my private practice, I have a weekly theatre list to cover upper GIT endoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy and diagnostic / therapeutic colonoscopy.

Over my career I have held the following positions: Program Director then Chairman for Speciality Gastroenterology Training, London North West for 4 years, Clinical tutor West Herts NHS Trust for 10 years, Program Director for Foundation Year 1 training West Herts NHS Trust for 5 years and MAC chairman Spire Bushey Hospital for 3 years.

I am currently the clinical lead for the West Herts NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Program, and for the NHS Bowel Scope Program. I have a particular passion for bowel cancer screening, and am proud that my NHS Trust have been involved in this service since 2008, with introduction of the Bowel Scope Program in 2015. I am the Project Lead for a multi million pound expansion of the Endoscopy Unit at Watford, with a completion date of March 2017.