Colorectal Bowel Disease
Adult

On this page

Emergency Referrals

Useful Management Information

Refer to HealthPathways or local guidelines
Digital rectal examination (to exclude malignancy) should be performed for all patients with symptoms of colorectal cancer or other perianal pathologies
Lifestyle modification (e.g., increased physical activity, balanced healthy diet, weight reduction, smoking and alcohol cessation) can be very useful for a wide range of functional bowel and anorectal issues
Correction of iron deficiency and anaemia as soon as possible is paramount
Change in symptoms should initiate reassessment of previous results
GE screening guidelines (link when available)

Minimum Referral Criteria

Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?

Category 1 (appointment within 30 calendar days)	Note: Referrals for rectal bleeding may be managed through either the General Surgery or Gastroenterology pathways, depending on the clinical context and most suitable specialty. Referrals will be triaged to the service best aligned with the suspected underlying cause, clinical presentation, and required interventions (e.g. endoscopic assessment vs surgical management). iFOBT/FIT positive in patients aged 45-74 if GE service is not available locally Diagnosed malignancies Palpable or visible anorectal or abdominal mass Recent significant unexplained weight loss GI obstructive symptoms or stricture Colovesical or colovaginal fistula Positive Rectal bleeding with any concerning features: Dark blood coating or mixed with stool Iron deficiency Tenesmus
Category 2 (appointment within 90 calendar days)	Note: Referrals for rectal bleeding may be managed through either the General Surgery or Gastroenterology pathways, depending on the clinical context and most suitable specialty. Referrals will be triaged to the service best aligned with the suspected underlying cause, clinical presentation, and required interventions (e.g. endoscopic assessment vs surgical management). Chronic ongoing colorectal problems Recurrent diarrhoea Diverticular disease for evaluation Rectal bleeding without concerning features: dark blood coating or mixed with stool iron deficiency tenesmus Personal or family history of bowel cancer requiring screening or surveillance Inflammatory bowel disease without complication Anal fissure or haemorrhoids with no mass on DRE
Category 3 (appointment within 365 calendar days)	Chronic constipation
If your patient does not meet the minimum referral criteria Assessment and management information may be found on a range of conditions at HealthPathways If the patient does not meet the criteria for referral but the referring practitioner believes the patient requires specialist review, a clinical override may be requested: Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.) Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service

Standard Referral Information

Reason for request

To establish a diagnosis
For treatment or intervention
For advice and management
For specialist to take over management
Reassurance for GP/second opinion
For a specified test/investigation the GP can't order, or the patient can't afford or access
Reassurance for the patient/family
For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

Relevant clinical information about the condition

Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
Physical findings
Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
All conservative options that have been pursued unsuccessfully prior to referral
Body mass index (BMI)
Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
Any special care requirements where relevant (e.g tracheostomy in place, oxygen required)
Current medications and dosages
Drug allergies
Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use

Patient's Demographic Details

Full name (including aliases)
Date and country of birth
Residential and postal address including whether patient resides at an aged care facility
Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative
Medicare number (where eligible)
Name of the parent or caregiver (if appropriate)
Name of delegate and contact details (Department of Corrective Services)
Preferred language and interpreter requirements
Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Any special needs, access requirements and/or disability relevant to the referral

Referring Practitioner Details

Full name
Full address
Contact details – telephone, fax, email
Provider number
Date of referral
Signature
Nominated general practitioner’s details (if known), if the nominated general practitioner is different from the referring practitioner

Other relevant information

Willingness to have surgery (where surgery is a likely intervention)
Choice to be treated as a public or private patient
Compensable status (e.g. DVA, Work Cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, etc.)

Essential Referral Information

History of presenting complaint (including any concerning features listed in Cat 1)
Co-morbid conditions and risk factors for colorectal disease
Family history of polyposis or inherited colorectal cancer syndromes, gastrointestinal malignancy or inflammatory bowel disease
Details and results/reports of most recent gastrointestinal investigations or procedures (e.g., imaging, colonoscopy, biopsy/polypectomy results) including letters of correspondence
Blood tests (e.g., FBC, E/LFT, U&E, CRP, Iron studies) if performed
CEA result (if colorectal cancer suspected

Additional Referral Information

Digital anorectal examination findings
FOBT results

Send Referrals To

Smart Referrals

Preferred Method
About Smart Referrals

Secure Web Transfer

Medical Objects Account: GQ42150009Z

HealthLink EDI: Qldgchsd

Internal Referrals

Colorectal Surgery qhRefer

Fax

(07) 5687 4497

Post

Booking and Referral Centre
Gold Coast University Hospital
1 Hospital Boulevard
Southport QLD 4215

Enquiries

1300 559 083

Related HealthPathways

No directly related pathways found

HealthPathways home page

Service Availability

Dr Gregory Nolan

Medical Director General & Acute Surgery

Facilities

Gold Coast University Hospital

Robina Hospital

If you would like to send a named referral, please address it to the specialist listed above, who will allocate a suitably qualified specialist to see the patient. Alternatively, you can view a full list of our specialists.

Colorectal Bowel Disease Adult