TranslateColorectal Surgery
Outpatients
Information about outpatient clinics for the assessment and management of surgical conditions of the colorectum.
The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form. This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date. If you receive this SMS, please update your details. Outpatient Central Services can be contacted on 1300 522 809.
Availability
Emergency conditions
Emergency conditions/symptoms include (not an exhaustive list):
- Diverticulitis with systemic sepsis
- Large bowel obstruction
- Severe PR bleeding
Emergency care
If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.
Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.
Scope
Children under the age of 14 should be referred to paediatric surgery for initial assessment.
Referral process
A referral is required for all new appointments and must conform to the referral standards. eReferral is now the preferred method of referral for this service and is available in All regions. Please refer via HealthLink SmartForm eReferral through your software system (either Best Practice, or Medical Director). For instructions, see the creating an eReferral quick guide.
Referrals are registered by the clinic to who they are referred and are triaged according to the specific clinic guidelines.
If the patient needs a colonoscopy/gastroscopy and you do NOT feel they need a clinic appointment prior to the scope, please indicate on the referral that a direct scope would be suitable.
Appointments are based on clinical priority.
Where available, eReferral via HealthLink smart forms is now the preferred and only secure method of referral to the Tasmanian Department of Health.
Clinic appointments
Urgent (Category 1)
Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review and the referral must be faxed.
We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.
