​​​​​​​​Emergency

If dysphagia with inability to tolerate oral intake is present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergency medical advice via phone to on-call consultant/registrar.

When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

  • Belching.
  • Halitosis.

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days.
  • Dysphagia any age or symptoms (excluding longstanding).
  • Dyspepsia, heartburn or reflux with any of the following present:
    • warning symptoms:
      • haematemesis or melaena
      • ≥ 5% unexplained weight loss in past 1 month or ≥ 10% unexplained weight loss in past 6 months
    • laboratory indicators:
      • iron deficiency
      • anaemia
      • low albumin.
  • Abnormal imaging of the upper gastrointestinal tract suggesting space occupying lesion.
Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.
  • Helicobacter eradication failed (urea breath test) after standard first line therapy (7-14 days triple esomeprazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin or metronidazole).
  • Aged ≥ 50 years with new, unexplained or persistent dyspepsia symptoms despite proton pump inhibitors.
Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days.
  • Aged ≤ 49 years with longstanding, unexplained or persistent dyspepsia despite proton pump inhibitors.
  • Screening for Barrett’s oesophagus in patients with longstanding gastroesophageal reflux without additional symptoms.
  • Surveillance of known Barrett’s oesophagus.
  • Surveillance for gastric cancer in patients with history of intestinal metaplasia.

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral.
  • Details of the presenting condition, including symptoms and their duration.
  • Provisional diagnosis.
  • Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, immunisations, allergies and/or adverse reactions), including specifically:
    • family history of gastrointestinal cancers
    • weight loss (amount and timeframe)
    • medical management to date (e.g. proton pump inhibitors, Helicobacter pylori treatment)
    • smoking history
    • full blood count
    • iron studies.

If available

  • Previous endoscopy or histopathology results.
  • Relevant imaging reports.
  • Helicobacter pylori results, including urea breath tests.
  • If the patient identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
  • If the patient is considered ‘at risk’ or among a vulnerable, disadvantaged or priority population.
  • If the patient is willing to have surgery (where clinically relevant).
  • If the patient is suitable for virtual care or telehealth.
  • If the patient has special needs or requires reasonable adjustments to be made.
  • If the patient requires an interpreter (if so, list preferred language).

Important information for referring health professionals

If there is a change to a patient’s condition while waiting for their appointment, referring health professionals may further investigate and manage the situation, or send an updated referral to the outpatient service. Where there are significant concerns about a patient's condition, referring health professionals may check HealthPathways for urgent/same day advice or contact the relevant clinical team.

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Current as at: Thursday 14 November 2024
Contact page owner: System Purchasing