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 Teaching Hospitals 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 department, 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 upper GIT endoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy since 1989. I gained accreditation as an 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 an alternate week 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 four 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 three years. I have a particular interest in bowel cancer screening and I have been the clinical lead for the West Herts NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Program since 2014. I am proud that my NHS Trust have been involved in this service since 2008, with most recently the expanded roll out to patients between 50 and 60 years old. I was the Project Lead for a multi million pound expansion of the Endoscopy Unit at Watford, completed March 2017. I am now the Clinical Lead for the new build of a multi million pound 4 roomed Endoscopy Unit at St Albans.