Upper GI Tract Haemorrhage (Haematemesis and/or Melaena)
Outpatients | GastroenterologyThis 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