Upper GI Tract Haemorrhage (Haematemesis and/or Melaena)

This condition is treated in the Gastroenterology clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to referral standards and include in particular:

• Duration of symptoms
• Pattern and severity of symptoms
• Current status - blood pressure and pulse
• Medications including anticoagulants in particular
• Co-morbidities such as liver, renal, cardiac disease

Tests

Assess for shock and ring ambulance if blood pressure and pulse suggest significant or ongoing blood loss.

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Gastroenterology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

All patients should be referred directly to the Emergency Department.

Please contact Emergency Department Medical Officer in Charge via Royal Hobart Hospital switchboard 6166 8308.

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Clinic appointments

🚩 Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency

All patients should be referred directly to the Emergency Department

Please contact Emergency Department Medical Officer in Charge via Royal Hobart Hospital switchboard 6166 8308

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.

Urgent (Category 1)

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the clinic and the relevant doctor for urgent assessment, or patient should be directed immediately to the Emergency Department.

Availability

North

Launceston General Hospital
Level 3 - Specialist Clinics

Phone: 1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5227

North West

All North West referrals are managed via  Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 03 6478 5222
Fax: 03 6441 5942

South

Wellington Clinics (Level 10)
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 3982