Chirag Kothari

Job title: Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist

About me

Dr Kothari is the Clinical Lead for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy. He works as a Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist at Darent Valley Hospital and Queen Mary’s Hospital at Sidcup. He holds a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and is accredited for both Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine and holds the title of FRCP. He is the lead clinician for Hepatology & Alcohol related services and the lead gastroenterologist for Queen Mary's Hospital at Sidcup.

Having completed a Medical SHO rotation in North London, he finished FRCP (Internal Medicine) in 2007. He subsequently trained in Geriatric Medicine and secured a Diploma in Elderly Care Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians of London.

He has also trained in Gastroenterology and has acquired an FRCP in Gastroenterology at The Royal College of Physicians of London. He has a special interest in Liver Disease which includes training at the Liver Unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and training in Liver Intensive Care. He has also studied Vascular Diseases of the Liver and has published in this field. He has trained in managing patients with Alcohol-Related Liver Disease and it’s complications. His liver interest extends to Autoimmune Liver Disease, Viral Hepatitis, Iron overload, Fatty Liver Disease, PBC and PSC, management of Cirrhosis and many other Liver Disorders.

His training in Gastroenterology includes experience in common and rare gastrointestinal diseases including training in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Nutrition, Malabsorption , Pancreato-biliary diseases, acid-peptic disease, weight loss and cancer screening, amongst other disorders . He has extensive experience in managing Diarrhoea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain and anaemia. He has various tools at his disposal such as Ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, Wireless capsule endoscopy, Nuclear Medicine Scans, Barium studies, Manometry study and pH studies and advanced lab work.

He is a Flexible Scope Screening Endoscopist to detect bowel cancer and is JAG accredited Gastroscopist and Colonoscopist. He also undertakes emergency endoscopy work to manage acute GI Bleeds. He performs therapeutic procedures such as Polypectomy, EMR, Argon Photocoagulation, Injection of Adrenaline and Botox, Clipping of stomach and duodenal ulcers and application of Heater Probe Coagulation of bleeding vessels.

He continues to remain interested in General (Internal) Medicine – acquiring the interest overseas by undergoing a Post-Graduate Residency programme, securing an M.D. in Internal Medicine. He has experience in Tropical Medicine, based on this experience. He currently continues to maintain his interest by participating in the General Medicine on-call Rota, delivering a Consultant led service in the Acute Medical Unit. He is an enthusiastic teacher and supervises and supports Junior Doctors through their training.

He has published Internationally and has written teaching modules including a BMJ Learning module, recognised by 22 International Universities. He has participated in local Educational programmes, including the Kent Hepatitis C Roadshow, amongst others.

Qualifications:

1) MBBS

2) M.D. (Internal Medicine)

3) MRCP, now FRCP (Internal Medicine)

4) MRCP, now FRCP (Gastroenterology)

5) Diploma in Elderly Care Medicine

Membership:

1) British Society of Gastroenterology

2) British Association of Study of Liver

3) British Viral Hepatitis Group

4) British Medical Association

5) Midlands Gastroenterological Society