Willem A. Van Hattem is a gastroenterologist based in Sydney, NSW, Australia. He works with people who have gut health concerns, from ongoing bowel symptoms to results that need closer checking. If something feels off in your gut, it can be stressful, so the aim is to keep things clear and make the next steps feel manageable.
A big part of the work involves looking inside the digestive tract using endoscopy and colonoscopy. These tests help check what’s going on in the oesophagus, stomach area and bowel. In many cases, doctors can find the cause early, explain it in plain terms, and then plan care that fits what you actually need.
Willem also looks after people with colorectal polyps, and helps manage the follow-up after polyps are found. Polyps are common, but they still need proper review because some types can develop over time. He also deals with Barrett esophagus, where ongoing reflux can cause changes in the lining. That usually means regular monitoring and a plan for symptom control, rather than a quick fix.
Colorectal cancer is another key area of care. In situations where tests suggest cancer, or when screening results raise questions, the focus is on taking things step by step. Getting the right information early can make a big difference, and it helps people feel more confident about treatment decisions.
There’s also care for inherited bowel conditions like familial adenomatous polyposis and juvenile polyposis syndrome. These conditions can run in families, and they often need a more careful long-term approach. Willem helps patients understand what monitoring usually involves, and why earlier checks are important when the risk is higher.
Sometimes gut problems connect to other issues as well, including surgery-related care such as appendectomy when that’s part of someone’s health history. Over time, he brings the same calm, practical approach to each case—listening to symptoms, arranging the right investigations, and supporting people through results and next steps.