Upper GI surgery
Our upper GI (oesophagogastric) unit works in partnership with the University of Southampton. We provide care for patients from across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Channel Islands and the Dorset region. We also look after patients from wider afield who need the specialist interventions from a multi-disciplinary team that we can provide. This could be support from our thoracic, cardiac, nutritional or interventional radiology teams, for example.
We're committed to innovation and are constantly working to improve the service that we offer for patients. Recently, this has focused on robotic surgery, enhanced recovery, totally minimally invasive oesophagectomy, endoscopic surgery, novel anti-reflux procedures and bariatrics. Robotic surgery was introduced to the unit in 2023 and so far in 2026, 55% of cancer resections have been performed with robotic surgery. We endeavour to complete all upper gastrointestinal surgical operations with robotic surgery when suitable.
Our clinicians also provide local and national leadership in surgical innovation, governance and ethics.
Our purpose: “A brilliant collaboration of world-class people constantly committed to delivering outstanding patient outcomes, perpetual innovation, and world-leading research in upper GI surgery.”
Our ward - F5
Our patients are mainly cared for on F5, which is the upper and lower gastrointestinal ward, as well as within critical care. F5 is a surgical ward with 28 beds. There are four side rooms and four bays (blue, pink, orange and green), each with six beds.
As a ward, we specialise in investigating and caring for patients with gastric and oesophageal malignancy (cancer). We also provide care for patients who have had benign (non-cancerous) oesophago-gastric surgery and anti-reflux surgery. We work closely with our wider team to make sure our patients have access to a wide range of support. This includes dieticians, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, clinical nurse specialists, and Macmillan cancer support. They offer support and education on how to achieve the best outcomes for our patients during their treatment and beyond. We also have patients from other specialties within the surgical care group on the ward.
Cancer service
In Southampton, we have unique opportunities to take part in research into oesophageal cancer. Our team has been able to take advantage of this to help prevent oesophageal and gastric cancer, with involvement in research focusing on prevention, early detection, and treatment.
Following cancer treatment, patients at UHS consistently have outcomes better than the national average. The upper GI unit clinical outcomes for cancer are the best in the UK, according to the National Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Audit (NOGCA; 2020).
Training opportunities - information for health professionals
Information on surgical fellowships is available on the Royal College of Surgeons website:
RCS England Senior Clinical Fellowships in General Surgery - Royal College of Surgeons
Contact us
- Email uppergippc@uhs.nhs.uk
- Upper GI secretary - 023 8120 3664
- Surgical high dependency ward - 023 8120 2191
- F5 ward - 023 8120 6411 or 023 8120 4644.
- Surgical day unit - 023 8120 5249
- Dieticians - 023 8120 6072