Intus Specialist Health Care

28/02/2026

Ongoing reflux, upper abdominal discomfort, or difficulty swallowing aren’t symptoms that should be ignored or simply lived with. When things don’t feel comfortable, it’s often your body signalling that something needs attention.

A recent patient came to Intus after months of persistent symptoms that weren’t settling despite lifestyle changes. A gastroscopy allowed our specialists to look closely and investigate the oesophagus and stomach in detail, helping identify the cause of the symptoms and guide the right treatment.

With clearer answers, the patient could move forward feeling reassured, informed, and supported in their care.

Our specialist Gastroenterology team helps diagnose and manage a wide range of stomach, gut and liver conditions - giving you clarity, comfort, and expert care when you need it most.

25/02/2026

Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a thin, flexible camera to examine the digestive system.

Depending on your symptoms, the camera is gently passed through the mouth to examine the oesophagus and stomach (gastroscopy), or through the bowel to assess the large intestine (colonoscopy), usually with sedation to keep patients comfortable.

At Intus, a gastroscopy or colonoscopy is performed by an experienced specialist team focused on safety, accuracy, and clear communication.

If you’ve been advised to have an endoscopy or have ongoing symptoms, your GP or the Intus team can help guide the next steps.

Intus is a team of health specialists based in Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, and Wanaka, offering advanced diagnostics and expert care in gastroenterology, endoscopy, nephrology, colore**al surgery, pelvic floor health, and dietary services.

22/02/2026

For many women, weight changes can show up in ways that go beyond the scales - lower energy, joint discomfort, disrupted sleep, digestive issues, or feeling less comfortable in your own body.

These challenges often develop alongside busy lives, shifting hormones, and ongoing health demands, making them difficult to manage alone. Bariatric and weight management care focuses on supporting women’s health with medically guided, personalised options rather than quick fixes.

Comprehensive bariatric and weight management services will be available at Intus Dunedin from March, offering specialist-led support when you’re ready to explore your options.

20/02/2026

Robotic surgery gives surgeons a new level of precision and control.

Using 3D imaging and finely-tuned robotic instruments, it offers:
- Greater dexterity in tight spaces like the pelvis
- More stable, accurate movements during complex procedures
- Improved surgical efficiency, even in difficult operations

At Intus Christchurch, this means more procedures can now be done minimally invasively, helping patients avoid open surgery where possible, and recover with fewer complications.

19/02/2026

Symptoms like difficulty swallowing, food feeling stuck, ongoing chest discomfort, or unexplained reflux shouldn’t be ignored.

When these symptoms persist, high resolution manometry can be used to investigate how well the muscles in the oesophagus are coordinating during swallowing. The test uses a thin catheter with sensors to measure muscle movement and pressure, helping guide the right treatment.

If symptoms aren’t settling, your GP or the team at Intus can help assess whether this investigation is appropriate.

18/02/2026

Bariatric care is often misunderstood as being only about surgery, but for many people it begins with education, assessment, and medical guidance.

Surgery is considered carefully and only when appropriate, as part of a wider care plan. This approach supports informed decision-making and realistic expectations.

Bariatric services launching at Intus Dunedin from March are built around personalised, long-term health outcomes.

Services available at Intus Dunedin from March 2026. Weight loss care involves understanding the reasons why weight may be difficult to manage and offering support to improve health and wellbeing. Your care will begin with a thorough assessment, including medical history and physical examination. Yo...

16/02/2026

A hernia occurs when tissue pushes through a weak area of muscle and often appears as a lump or bulge, sometimes with discomfort or pain that worsens over time.

While some hernias can be monitored, others may need treatment to prevent symptoms progressing.

Specialist assessment helps determine the right approach based on your symptoms and lifestyle. Referrals are welcome via your GP, or you can self-refer to Intus to access expert advice and timely care.

15/02/2026

Noticing changes in bowel habits or ongoing fatigue can be concerning, especially when symptoms gradually start to affect day-to-day life.

A recent patient came to Intus after experiencing these symptoms over several months, unsure whether they were something to worry about or just part of getting older.

A colonoscopy allowed our specialist team to look closely and investigate the bowel in detail, helping identify the cause of the symptoms and provide clear guidance on next steps. Having answers meant the patient could move forward feeling reassured, informed, and supported in their care.

Colonoscopy is an examination of the inside lining of the large bowel (re**um and colon). It is a safe and effective procedure used to investigate bowel symptoms, detect inflammation or polyps, and support early detection of bowel cancer.

12/02/2026

Meet Associate Professor Craig Lynch, a pioneer in robotic colore**al surgery, now leading the service at Intus Christchurch.

Craig brings over two decades of experience in robotic surgery. He performed the first robotic colore**al procedure in both Australia and New Zealand, and was the only Australasian surgeon involved in the world’s first multinational trial on robotic re**al cancer surgery.

As a trainer, proctor, and published researcher, Craig continues to lead innovation in this space. Now based in Christchurch, he’s proud to offer patients access to advanced robotic techniques for general and colore**al procedures through Intus.

11/02/2026

Weight loss is far more complex than willpower alone, with hormones, metabolism, genetics, sleep, stress, and medical conditions all playing a role.

These factors can make long-term weight management challenging despite best efforts. Bariatric care looks at the full picture rather than focusing on lifestyle alone.

Starting this March, Intus Dunedin will offer specialist bariatric services through an integrated health team to help address these underlying complexities.

Services available at Intus Dunedin from March 2026. Weight loss care involves understanding the reasons why weight may be difficult to manage and offering support to improve health and wellbeing. Your care will begin with a thorough assessment, including medical history and physical examination. Yo...

10/02/2026

Specialist care works best when services are connected, not fragmented.

Intus brings together a well-rounded range of services that support patients from investigation through to treatment and recovery. This includes specialist consultations, advanced diagnostic testing such as endoscopic and functional investigations, as well as both surgical and non-surgical treatment options.

When appropriate, care is supported by allied health services including nutrition, helping patients manage symptoms, recovery, and long-term health more effectively.

08/02/2026

High resolution manometry is a specialised test we offer at Intus Christchurch that looks at how the muscles of the oesophagus work when you swallow.

It’s used for people who experience swallowing difficulties or symptoms that suggest the muscles may not be working in a coordinated way.

The investigation involves a thin, flexible tube with sensors that gently measures muscle movement and pressure as you swallow, helping specialists understand how food and liquid move from the throat to the stomach.