​​​​​Emergency

If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergency medical advice via phone to on-call consultant/registrar.

  • Dysphagia with inability to tolerate oral intake

When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

  • Belching.
  • ​Halitosis.​​

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days.
  • Dysphagia any age or symptoms (excluding longstanding).
  • Dyspepsia, heartburn or reflux with any of the following present:
    • warning symptoms:
      • haematemesis or melaena
      • ≥ 5% unexplained weight loss in past 1 month or ≥ 10% unexplained weight loss in past 6 months
    • laboratory indicators:
      • iron deficiency
      • anaemia
      • low albumin.
  • Abnormal imaging of the upper gastrointestinal tract suggesting space occupying lesion.
Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.
  • Helicobacter eradication failed (urea breath test) after standard first line therapy (7-14 days triple esomeprazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin or metronidazole).
  • Aged ≥ 50 years with new, unexplained or persistent dyspepsia symptoms despite proton pump inhibitors.
Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days.
  • Aged ≤ 49 years with longstanding, unexplained or persistent dyspepsia despite proton pump inhibitors.
  • Screening for Barrett’s oesophagus in patients with longstanding gastroesophageal reflux without additional symptoms.
  • Surveillance of known Barrett’s oesophagus.
  • Surveillance for gastric cancer in patients with history of intestinal metaplasia.

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Family history of gastrointestinal cancers.
  • History of weight loss.
  • Duration of symptoms.
  • Medical management to date (e.g. proton pump inhibitors, Helicobacter pylori treatment).
  • Full blood count.
  • Iron studies.
  • Smoking history.
  • Patient health summary (including relevant medical history and medications).

If available

  • Previous endoscopy or histopathology results.
  • Relevant imaging reports.
  • Helicobacter pylori results, including urea breath tests.
  • If the patient identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
  • If the patient is considered ‘at risk’ and/or among a vulnerable, disadvantaged or priority population.

Important information for referring health professionals​

If there is a change to a patient’s condition while waiting for their appointment, referring health professionals may further investigate and manage the situation, or send an updated referral to the outpatient service. Where there are significant concerns about a patient's condition, referring health professionals may check HealthPathways for urgent/same day advice or contact the relevant clinical team.​​​

​Contact us

If you would like to provide feedback about the contents of this page, please submit an enquiry to the SRC project team at NSW Health.

Submit an enquiry



Current as at: Wednesday 14 February 2024
Contact page owner: System Purchasing