Criteria for referral to public hospital specialist clinic services
- Chronic refractory diarrhoea lasting more than 4 weeks with refractory symptoms (following an adequate trial of treatment) that affect the person’s activities of daily living.
Information to be included in the referral
Information that must be provided
- Onset, characteristics and duration of symptoms
- Details of previous medical management including the course of treatment and outcome of treatment
- Details of any previous gastroenterology assessments or opinions
- Previous histopathology results.
Provide if available
- Full blood examination
- Iron studies
- Vitamin B12 and folate test results
- 25-OH vitamin D results
- Faecal calprotectin
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP)
- Previous colonoscopy results
- If symptoms are thought to be linked to probable or confirmed SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection or Long COVID.
Additional comments
The Summary and referral information lists the information that should be included in a referral request.
The referral should note that the request is for advice on, or review of, the current management plan as requests for a second opinion will usually not be accepted.
Where appropriate and available the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service.
Referral to a public hospital is not appropriate for
- Laxative dependence.