About Rami Sweis
Specialty: Consultant Gastroenterologist specialising in upper and lower GI disorders and endoscopy, with particular expertise in benign upper GI conditions - oesophageal disorders and gastric function
Conditions seen: dysphagia (swallowing difficulties), acid reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD/GERD), regurgitation, Barrett’s oesophagus, achalasia, oesophageal spasm and hypercontraction, oesophageal diverticulum, oesophageal stricture, eosinophilic oesophagitis, rumination syndrome and belching disorders, vomiting disorders/delayed gastric emptying (outpatient setting), abdominal pain, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), constipation, diarrhoea, changes in bowel habits, anaemia, rectal bleeding
Tests, treatments and procedures: gastroscopy, colonoscopy, polypectomy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, high-resolution oesophageal manometry and reflux monitoring, impedance-pH monitoring, wireless (Bravo/Alpha) oesophageal pH testing, Endoflip/panometry, Esoflip, functional gut assessment, point-of-care stool testing, POEM (per-oral endoscopic myotomy - gastroesophageal junction, oesophageal and Zenker’s), botulinum toxin injection, dilatation (CRE, pneumatic, hydraulic), TIF (trans-oral incisionless fundoplication), radiofrequency ablation, endoscopic mucosal resection.
Often consulted by patients with: heartburn, regurgitation, food sticking on swallowing, dysphagia, chest pain, excessive belching, unexplained vomiting, symptoms that have not responded to standard acid reflux treatment
Patient ages seen: 18+
Also: PhD in GI motility from King’s College London; President of the Association of GI Physiologists; runs the Upper GI Physiology unit at University College London Hospital and at Welbeck; Clinical Excellence Award (ACCEA) and National Clinical Impact Award (NCIA)
Language: English and Arabic
Dr Rami Sweis is a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Welbeck’s Digestive Health centre in London, specialising in benign upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, with particular expertise in managing problems affecting the function of the oesophagus and stomach. He has particular interest in investigating swallowing difficulties and persistent or complex reflux symptoms, including acid reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD/GERD) and Dysmotility. His practice also encompasses conditions including Barrett’s oesophagus, achalasia, eosinophilic oesophagitis and gastroparesis, alongside wider digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and changes in bowel habits.
A key part of Dr Sweis’s practice is specialist investigation of how the oesophagus is functioning, particularly when symptoms such as food sticking on swallowing, regurgitation, chest pain or excessive belching have not been explained by standard tests or have not responded to conventional treatment. At Welbeck, he offers high-resolution oesophageal manometry and reflux monitoring as well as Bravo/Alpha oesophageal pH testing, and Alimetry, alongside gastroscopy, colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, functional gut assessment and gut microbiome testing. Elsewhere he also offers further endoscopic testing including Endoflip/Panometry and Esoflip.
Dr Sweis takes a holistic approach, considering patient symptoms, concerns and expectations before recommending further investigation or treatment. He aims to avoid unnecessary tests and treatments wherever possible and involves patients in decisions about their care, explaining the available options clearly. Treatment may range from behavioural changes and targeted medicines to specialist endoscopic procedures, including botulinum toxin injection, dilatation, POEM (per-oral endoscopic myotomy), TIF (trans-oral incisionless fundoplication), Zenker’s diverticulotomy and radiofrequency ablation.
Alongside his Welbeck practice, Dr Sweis runs the Upper GI Physiology unit at University College London Hospital and at Welbeck. He is also President of the Association of GI Physiologists, reflecting his longstanding specialist interest in oesophageal and gastric function.
You can listen to Dr Rami Sweis provide an overview of the common symptoms of reflux, and how it can be investigated in a healthcare setting in this short video.
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
- Endoflip
Overview
- Age of patients seen
- 18+
- Qualifications
Dr Sweis graduated in Biology, Psychology and Chemistry with first-class honours from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1994, and qualified in medicine at the University of Edinburgh Medical School in 1999. He became a member of the Royal College of Physicians (UK) in 2004, completed a PhD in GI motility at King’s College London in 2013 and gained his Certificate of Completion of Training in the same year. He was awarded Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy in 2018, and in 2019 became an Honorary Clinical Associate Professor and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. He has worked as a gastroenterology consultant for more than ten years.
Qualifications
BSc (1st Class Hons) Biology/Psychology/Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago (1994)
MB ChB, University of Edinburgh Medical School (1999)
MRCP (UK) (2004)
PhD, King’s College London (2013)
CCT (2013)
FHEA (Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy) (2018)
Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Award (ACCEA) (2018
Honorary Clinical Associate Professor UCL (2019)
Fellowship of Royal College of Physicians - London and Edinburgh (2019)
Senior Lecturer Newcastle University (2024)
National Clinical Impact Award (NCIA) Level N2 (2025)
- Languages spoken
- English, Arabic
- Online profiles
- Research highlights
Problems affecting oesophageal and gastric function have been a major focus of Dr Sweis’s research. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, with particular interests in oesophageal motility, swallowing disorders, achalasia and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
His work has contributed to important national and international guidance in this field, including the Chicago Classification version 4.0 technical review on standard high-resolution manometry protocols, the British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for oesophageal manometry and oesophageal reflux monitoring, and European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidance on the endoscopic management of gastrointestinal motility disorders.
Key publications:
Timed barium swallow: esophageal stasis varies markedly across subtypes of esophagogastric junction obstruction. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2022;34(8):e14322. DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14322
Assessment and management of dysphagia and achalasia. Clin Med (Lond). 2021;21(2):119–123. DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.2021-0069
Chicago classification version 4.0© technical review: update on standard high-resolution manometry protocol for the assessment of esophageal motility. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2021;33(4):e14120. DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14120
Advances and caveats in modern achalasia management. Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2021;12:2040622321993437. DOI: 10.1177/2040622321993437
The clinical relevance of manometric esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction can be determined using rapid drink challenge and solid swallows. Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(2):280–288. DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000000988
High-resolution manometry — observations after 15 years of personal use — has advancement reached a plateau? Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2020;22(10):49. DOI: 10.1007/s11894-020-00787-x
The timed barium swallow and its relationship to symptoms in achalasia: analysis of surface area and emptying rate. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2020;32(12):e13928. DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13928
Endoscopic management of gastrointestinal motility disorders — part 1: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline. Endoscopy. 2020;52(6):498–515. DOI: 10.1055/a-1160-5549
Endoscopic management of gastrointestinal motility disorders — part 2: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline. Endoscopy. 2020;52(7):600–614. DOI: 10.1055/a-1171-3174
The global burden of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: more than just heartburn and regurgitation. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020;5(6):519–521. DOI: 10.1016/S2468-1253(20)30002-9
British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for oesophageal manometry and oesophageal reflux monitoring. Gut. 2019;68(10):1731–1750. DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2018-318115
Achalasia diagnosed despite normal integrated relaxation pressure responds favorably to therapy. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2019;31(6):e13586. 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
Appointments are available at 1 Welbeck Street, London W1G 0AR.
Enquire online or call 020 3653 2009.
- Self-pay available from £300
- Health insurance
- 40 mins consultation
- Self-pay available from £250
- Health insurance
- 30 mins consultation
Insurers covered
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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, impedance-pH monitoring and Bravo/Alpha oesophageal pH testing 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, involving you in shared decision-making about your 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.