Dr. Simon Campbell
Consultant Gastroenterologist
Dr. Simon Campbell leads a team of expert consultant gastroenterologists at The Capsule Clinic, offering a wide range of diagnostic tests for gastrointestinal disorders. He has over 20 years of experience in capsule endoscopy services across both the NHS and private sectors.
He trained under Professor Tony Morris at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and established capsule endoscopy services in Berkshire, Manchester Royal Infirmary, and The Alexandra Hospital, Cheadle. He set up the first NHS colon capsule service in the Northwest in 2015.
Dr. Simon Campbell is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and an accredited bowel cancer colonoscopist. He graduated in Medicine from Birmingham University and received extensive training in luminal gut problems in Edinburgh, Oxford, and Liverpool.
Previously, he was a full-time NHS Consultant Gastroenterologist at Manchester Royal Infirmary, serving as the research and clinical lead for inflammatory bowel disease. In 2015, he took a part-time NHS role, focusing on specialist endoscopy in the National Bowel Cancer screening programme and subsequently expanded his role as a private practitioner in Cheshire. His private practice specialises in diagnostic imaging for reflux disease (GORD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Barrett’s oesophagus, colon cancer, and gastrointestinal surveillance using capsule endoscopy.
Dr. Campbell is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and has held national roles with the British Society of Gastroenterology. He has been an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Salford and Manchester University and currently serves as the JAG endoscopy lead and chair of the endoscopy user group at Circle Alexandra Hospital.
Mrs Joanne Hodgins
Specialist Nurse Practitioner
Specialist Nurse Joanne Hodgins has worked with Dr. Campbell for over 17 years in the NHS. She was among the first specialist nurses in the UK to achieve accreditation in colon capsule endoscopy. Her expertise includes capsule endoscopy and managing inflammatory bowel disease.
At The Capsule Clinic, she applies her specialised skills to enhance patient care and continues to make significant contributions to the field.
Mrs Sarah Campbell
Practice Manager
Sarah Campbell serves as the Practice Manager and Co-director of The Capsule Clinic, bringing over 17 years of experience in the private healthcare sector with Gastro Medical Solutions LLP. Her extensive knowledge of endoscopy procedures and medical insurance are supported by her strong commitment to patient care.
Sarah plays a vital role ensuring patients receive exceptional care from the moment they enter the clinic, managing endoscopy procedures efficiently and keeping patients well-informed and comfortable throughout their experience. Her dedication to patient satisfaction and operational excellence is central to The Capsule Clinic’s reputation for exceptional care.
Other Professionals working at The Capsule Clinic
Dr. Tim Cross
Consultant Hepatologist
Dr. Tim Cross qualified from St. Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical School in 1996. He trained in Gastroenterology and Endoscopy in London and Essex, followed by subspecialty training in liver transplant units at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, The Royal Free Hospital, and Kings College Hospital in London.
His postgraduate research focused on the non-invasive assessment of liver damage and was awarded his Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) in 2009. Dr. Cross served as a Consultant at the South West Liver Unit in Plymouth before moving to his current position in Liverpool in 2012.
He is currently the Secretary of The British Association for the Study of the Liver (BASL) and a Committee Member of HCC-UK, a special interest group in the UK researching hepatocellular carcinoma.
Clinical Interests
- Investigation of abnormal liver blood test
- Fibroscan: non-invasive assessment of liver damage
- Fatty liver disease
- Alcohol related liver disease
- Autoimmune liver disease: autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Viral hepatitis
- Metabolic liver diseases: alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, Haemochromatosis, Wilsons disease
- Cardiac liver damage
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
- Diagnostic gastroscopy (including variceal band ligation and glue injection)
- Diagnostic colonoscopy: biopsies and polypectomy
Christel Lyell
Consultant Dietician
Christel graduated from the University of Pretoria in 1997 and worked as a Clinical Dietitian in South Africa for two years before moving to the UK in 1999. She continued her career as a Clinical Dietician in the NHS until 2021 gaining significant experience in Renal Medicine, Critical Care, and Gastroenterology. In 2014, she became the Clinical Team Leader for the Acute and Rehab team of Dietitians at Manchester Royal Infirmary and later, Head of Nutrition and Dietetics at Wythenshawe Hospital in 2019.
In 2019, Christel started her private practice, focusing on gut disorders such as IBS, chronic constipation, functional dyspepsia, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Coeliac Disease. She is registered with the HCPC and is a full member of the British Dietetic Association and the Gastroenterology Specialist group. Currently, she serves on the Freelance Dietitians Group committee.
Christel is committed to continuous professional development and is trained to an advanced level in the low FODMAP diet. She actively participates in courses and symposia to stay up to date with the latest research and development. She runs a blog, advocating for evidence-based nutrition education to help patients manage their conditions and improve their quality of life.
www.christellyelldietitian.com
Dr. Robert Willert
Consultant Gastroenterologist
Dr. Willert is a specialist Gastroenterologist focused on managing digestive disorders (oesophagus, stomach, small bowel, and colon). He diagnoses and treats conditions such as heartburn (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease), Barrett’s oesophagus, indigestion (dyspepsia), abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, and nutritional management of weight loss. He has a particular interest in Barrett’s oesophagus, including its surveillance and eradication via radiofrequency ablation.
He was appointed as a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Manchester Royal Infirmary in 2008, after completing an international training fellowship in Australia following his UK medical training. He is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester and serves as Clinical Director for the Manchester Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.
An expert accredited endoscopist, Dr. Willert is a regional trainer in both diagnostic and complex therapeutic endoscopy, including Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy, and Enteroscopy.
Dr. Wisam Jafar
Consultant Gastroenterologist
Dr. Wisam Jafar graduated from the University of Manchester in 2003 and trained as a gastroenterology and general medical trainee in the North West region. He is the Clinical Director of the gastroenterology directorate at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and serves as the current undergraduate tutor.
Actively involved in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, he is an Honorary Senior Lecturer with the University of Manchester and holds higher degrees in education and gastroenterology. Dr. Jafar has a subspecialist interest in inflammatory bowel disease and nutrition.
Dr. Vinod Patel
Consultant Gastroenterologist
Dr Patel is a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care Foundation Trust and is the head of gastroenterology services. He is the lead of IBD, hepatobiliary services and alcohol services.
Dr Patel graduated from King’s College School of Medicine and Dentistry. University of London in 1995.After his initial junior training, he became a research fellow at Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College London. The mainstay of his research was immune markers and therapy in liver cancer.
In 2002, he went on to complete his Higher Specialist Training at London Deanery where he developed his interest in IBD, endoscopy, functional bowel disorders (irritable bowel syndrome) and hepatology. He also conducted research to identify immune marker for targeting in Inflammatory bowel disease.
During this time, he developed research interests in the immunology of inflammatory bowel disease. Dr. Patel was appointed as a consultant at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care Foundation Trust in 2013 and served as Patient Safety Lead from 2013 to 2015. Since 2016, he has led the Gastroenterology and IBD service.
Speciality interests:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), functional bowel disorders, upper and lower gastro-intestinal endoscopy, nutrition and liver disease.
Current memberships:
Fellow Royal College of Physicians, British Society of Gastroenterology, United European Gastroenterology, European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation