All plain film GP referrals must be booked appointments only. There will be no CT or MR.
Ultrasound will be carried out as per British Medical Ultrasound Society national guidance.
Referral advice
Referrals can be made for:
- gallstones
- right upper quadrant pain
- persistent abnormal liver function test
- testicular US (cancer)
- gynaecology/pelvic scans
- rapid increase in size of superficial/deep soft tissue masses
- persistently enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
Referrals cannot be made for:
- scrotal pain
- diabetes
- change in bowel habit
- polycystic ovaries
- follow up of long standing lumps and bumps
Neck
| Yes |
No |
- Rapidly increasing thyroid lump
- First imaging for gradually increasing thyroid lump
- Salivary gland tumour (plus 2WW)
|
- Hoarse voice 2WW
- Dysphagia 2WW
- Follow up thyroid imaging
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Globus, throat discomfort
- Lateral/posterior neck pain
|
Lymph nodes
| Yes |
No |
| Persistently enlarged/increasing in size |
If malignancy suspected A&G/2WW depending upon specific problem |
Soft tissue mass
| Yes |
No |
| More than 5cm, infiltrative changes or rapidly increasing |
- Sebaceous cysts
- Small lipoma
- Neurofibromas
|
Abdomen
| Yes |
No |
-
Gallstones/RUQ pain
- Enlarged liver metastasis (plus 2WW)
- Persistent elevation of ALP
- Jaundice or obstructive LFT (plus 2WW)
- Bloating with palpable mass (plus 2WW)
- Ascites (?2WW/A&G route)
|
-
Diabetes
- Obesity
- Statins/medications known to affect LFT
- Diverticular disease
- IBS
|
Gynaecology
| Yes |
No |
- Pelvic pain with additional symptoms and signs
- Pelvic pain in > 50 years of age
|
- Simple ovarian cyst < 5cm with pain
- Polycystic ovaries
- Follow up of fibroids
- Dermoids
- Cysts
- Post menopausal bleeding (2WW)
|
Urinary tract
| Yes |
No |
- First episode of UTI in men
- Recurrent UTI in women
|
-
Hypertension/renal artery stenosis
- Visible haematuria (2WW)
- Acute renal colic – CT via Emergency Department
- Renal mass (2WW)
|
Scrotal US
| Yes |
No |
| Suspected testicular mass |
Scrotal pain |
Last reviewed: 11 January 2022