About Rami Sweis
• Specialist in: swallowing difficulties, reflux, Barrett's oesophagus, achalasia, eosinophilic oesophagitis, gastroparesis, bloating, and functional gut disorders
• Best for patients with: heartburn, food sticking on swallowing, chest pain, excessive belching, unexplained vomiting, or symptoms not responding to standard acid reflux treatment
• Tests and treatments offered: gastroscopy, colonoscopy, high-resolution oesophageal manometry, impedance-pH monitoring, POEM procedure, Botox injections, TIF fundoplication, and radiofrequency ablation
• Available at: Digestive Health at Welbeck, 1 Welbeck Street, Marylebone, London, W1G 0AR
• Also: PhD in GI motility from King's College London; President of the Association of GI Physiologists; runs the Upper GI Physiology unit at UCLH
Dr Rami Sweis is a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Welbeck. He has been working as a gastroenterology consultant for more than 10 years specialising in upper and lower GI gastroenterology and endoscopy.
He treats problems from the throat and oesophagus, to the stomach and colon. He has a particular interest and expertise in upper GI benign disorders, including problems of function of the oesophagus and stomach, which have been the focus of much of his research and publications.
He runs the Upper GI Physiology unit at both University College London Hospital and Welbeck, whereby he investigates problems of swallowing and reflux such as food sticking on swallowing, chest pain, heartburn, regurgitation and vomiting using tests such as High Resolution Manometry, Impedance-pH monitoring and Wireless pH monitoring. He also has a particular interest in conditions such as eosinophilic oesophagitis, Barrett’s oesophagus, achalasia as well as management of SIBO, diarrhoea, constipation and IBS.
Dr Rami Sweis always looks at patients holistically. He tries to offer support and help that is most suitable for the patient after taking into account all the problems, concerns and expectations. He listens carefully with an open mind and tries to minimise unnecessary tests and treatments wherever possible. All decisions are made with the patient, offering plenty of time to decide together what is most suitable together, whilst providing all information possible in the simplest, most understandable terms.
Dr Rami Sweis can offer a range of therapies, ranging from behavioural modification and targeted medicines, to endoscopic treatments such as using Botox, dilatation, POEM (per-oral endoscopic myotomy), TIF (trans-oral incisionless fundoplication), Zenker’s diverticulotomy, Radio-frequency ablation and others.
To listen to Dr Rami Sweis provide an overview of the common symptoms of reflux, and how it can be investigated in a healthcare setting, you can click the link here.
Expertise
- Dysphagia
- Reflux
- Regurgitation
- Chest Pain
- Barrett's Oesophagus
- Achalasia
- Spasm and Hypercontraction of the Oesophagus
- Oesophageal Diverticulum
- Eosinophilic Oesophagitis
- Oesophageal Stricture
- Rumination Syndrome and Belching Disorders
- Vomiting Disorders
- Gastroparesis/Delayed Gastric Emptying
- Abdominal Pain
- Bloating
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Anaemia
- Rectal Bleeding and Small Bowel Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Overview
- Age of patients seen
- 18+
- Qualifications
1994: BSc (1st Class Hons) Biology/Psychology/Chemistry University of Illinois at Chicago
1999: MB ChB, University of Edinburgh Medical School
2004: MRCP (UK)
2013: PhD (King’s College London)
2013: CCT
2018: FHEA (Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy)
2019: Honorary Clinical Associate Professor
2019: FRCP
- Languages spoken
- English
- Online profiles
- Research highlights
Notable Publications:
S Sanagapalli, A Plumb, R Sweis, Timed barium swallow: Esophageal stasis varies markedly across subtypes of esophagogastric junction obstruction. Neurogastroenterology and Motility. Jan 2022. DOI:10.1111/nmo.14322
A Mari, R Sweis, Assessment and management of dysphagia and Achalasia. Clinical medicine 21(2):119-123. March 2021. DOI:10.7861/clinmed.2021-0069
M R Fox, R Sweis, R Yadlapati, N Rommel, Chicago classification version 4.0© technical review: Update on standard high‐resolution manometry protocol for the assessment of esophageal motility. Neurogastroenterology and Motility. March 2021. DOI:10.1111/nmo.14120
M Pesce, R Sweis, Advances and caveats in modern achalasia management. Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease. March 2021. DOI:10.1177/2040622321993437
S Sanagapalli, R W Leong, K Patel, R Sweis, The Clinical Relevance of Manometric Esophagogastric Junction Outflow Obstruction Can Be Determined Using Rapid Drink Challenge and Solid Swallows. The American Journal of Gastroenterology. Oct 2020. DOI:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000988
R Sweis, M Fox, High-Resolution Manometry—Observations After 15 Years of Personal Use—Has Advancement Reached a Plateau?. Current Gastroenterology Reports. Aug 2020. DOI:10.1007/s11894-020-00787-x
S Sanagapalli, A Plumb, J Maynard, R W Leong, R Sweis, The timed barium swallow and its relationship to symptoms in achalasia: Analysis of surface area and emptying rate. Neurogastroenterology and Motility. June 2020. DOI:10.1111/nmo.13928
S Ishaq, H Louis, S van-Meer, D Pohl, F Prat, D von-Renteln, R Sweis, J Tack, J Martinek, V L Zúñiga, E Savarino, R Tutuian, Endoscopic management of gastrointestinal motility disorders – Part 1: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Endoscopy. May 2020. DOI:10.1055/a-1160-5549
B L A M Weusten, M Barret, A J Bredenoord, P Familiari, J M Gonzalez, J E van-Hooft, V L Zúñiga, H Louis, J Martinek, S van-Meer, H Neumann, D Pohl, F Prat, D von-Renteln, E Savarino, R Sweis, J Tack, R Tutuian, S Ishaq, Endoscopic management of gastrointestinal motility disorders – part 2: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Endoscopy. May 2020. DOI:10.1055/a-1171-3174
R Sweis, M Fox, The global burden of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: more than just heartburn and regurgitation. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology. March 2020. DOI:10.1016/S2468-1253(20)30002-9
N J Trudgill, D Sifrim, R Sweis, M Fullard, K Basu, M McCord, M Booth J Hayman, G Boeckxstaens, B T Johnson, N Ager, J de Caestecker, British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for oesophageal manometry and oesophageal reflux monitoring. Gut. July 2019. DOI:10.1136/gutjnl-2018-318115
S Sanagapalli, S Roman, A Hastier, R W Leong, K Patel, A Raeburn, M R Banks, R J Haidry, L B Lovat, D Graham, S Sami, R Sweis, Achalasia diagnosed despite normal integrated relaxation pressure responds favorably to therapy. Neurogastroenterology and Motility. Apr 2019. DOI:10.1111/nmo.13586
- Professional memberships
General Medical Council
British Medical Association
European Foregut Society
High Resolution Manometry User’s group
British Society of Gastroenterology
Association of GI Physiologists (President)
- Certifications and Awards
Clinical Excellence Award (ACCEA)
Consultations and services
- Self-pay available from £300
- Health insurance
- 40 mins consultation
- Self-pay available from £250
- Health insurance
- 30 mins consultation
Insurers covered
Tests & treatments
Conditions & symptoms
Locations
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, but only for certain services. Some consultations, assessments, and treatments can be booked directly, while others require a GP or specialist referral. Please check the relevant service page for guidance, and contact the centre if you’re unsure.
We aim to offer appointments as quickly as possible, and many services have same-day or next-day availability. Waiting times vary depending on the appointment type, specialty, and consultant availability, but our team will always offer the earliest suitable appointment.
Yes. You can arrange an appointment for a family member, or someone you care for, just let us know when you get in touch. We’ll need their details and consent to complete the booking, unless you're their legal guardian or have power of attorney.
Your first consultation includes a detailed discussion of your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors, followed by a thorough examination. It’s helpful if you can bring the results of any previous investigations with you, as well as a list of your current medications. Come with a comfortably full bladder so you can provide a urine sample if requested.
Frequently asked questions
Dr Sweis specialises in diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions that cause swallowing problems, including achalasia, eosinophilic oesophagitis, oesophageal strictures, oesophageal diverticula, and oesophageal spasm. He uses advanced diagnostic tests such as high-resolution oesophageal manometry and impedance-pH monitoring to pinpoint the underlying cause and tailor treatment accordingly.
Yes, Dr Sweis has particular expertise in investigating reflux that does not respond to standard treatment. He uses wireless pH monitoring, impedance-pH testing, and functional gut assessments to determine whether symptoms are caused by true acid reflux, non-acid reflux, or a functional disorder, allowing him to recommend targeted therapy including behavioural modification, medication adjustments, or interventional procedures like TIF fundoplication.
POEM (per-oral endoscopic myotomy) is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure used primarily to treat achalasia and severe oesophageal spasm by cutting the muscle fibres that prevent the oesophagus from emptying properly. Dr Sweis performs POEM as part of his specialist upper GI practice, alongside other interventional treatments such as Botox injections, dilatation, and Zenker's diverticulotomy.
Dr Sweis treats bloating, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as part of his comprehensive gastroenterology practice. He offers gut microbiome testing and functional gut assessments to identify contributing factors, and takes a holistic approach that involves patients in shared decision-making about their management plan.
Dr Sweis holds a PhD from King's College London in GI motility, is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP), and is President of the Association of GI Physiologists. He runs the Upper GI Physiology unit at University College London Hospital and has received a Clinical Excellence Award. He has over 10 years of consultant experience and an extensive publication record in peer-reviewed journals.