TranslateGastroenterology
Outpatients
Information about outpatient clinics for the assessment and management of gastroenterology conditions.
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.
Availability
North West
Phone: 03 6478 5222
Fax: 03 6441 5942
North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 03 6493 6300
Fax: 03 6464 1928
Emergency conditions
Emergency conditions/symptoms include (not an exhaustive list):
- Upper GI Tract Haemorrhage (Haematemesis and/or Melaena), suspected bowel obstruction (vomiting and distension with constipation), suspected acute, severe or fulminant hepatic failure: All patients should be referred directly to the Emergency Department.
- Acute severe diarrhoea or bloody diarrhoea: Please contact Emergency Department Medical Officer in Charge via the Royal Hobart Hospital switchboard (03 6166 8308).
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.
Referral process
Statewide 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 THS regions. Please refer via HealthLink eReferral through your software system (either Best Practice, or Medical Director). For instructions, see the creating an eReferral quick guide.
All patients referred for surveillance colonoscopies after removal of polyps or for family history are triaged according to the following guidelines:
Note: Referrals of asymptomatic patients deemed not to meet guidelines will be returned to the referrer.
South
Gastroenterology Referrals Pathway
All referrals are triaged and appointments are provided based on clinical priority. Some patients may be suitable for direct access endoscopy – if this is the case you will receive notification from the Endoscopy Booking Office that your patient has been placed on the Endoscopy Waiting List.
Endoscopy Fax number: (03) 6173 0327
GP Only Hotline: (03) 6166 8367
If you have a patient currently waiting on the Endoscopy Waiting List and you wish to discuss their current waiting time or have concerns re their clinical status please contact our senior nursing specialists.
For non-clinical endoscopy enquiries (including patient enquiries):
Endoscopy Booking Office
Phone: (03) 6166 7584 during business hours
North West
The Endoscopy and Gastroenterology Services are located at the Mersey General Hospital. Please utilise the Direct Endoscopy Referral Form located on the Primary Health Tasmania website.
NW Endoscopy Liaison Nurse
Phone: (03) 6478 5390
Fax: (03) 6441 5942
Booking Office Phone: (03) 6478 5389
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
Appointments are based on clinical priority.
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.
Semi-urgent (Category 2)
We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks.
Routine (Category 3)
Next available appointment.
