MSDEC referral to Gastroenterology

Emergency

If you need immediate Gastroenterology input, please call the Gastroenterology team via the following methods:

• Monday to Sunday, 09:00 - 17:00: Gastroenterology SpR via internal extension 12429
• Monday to Sunday, 17:00 - 09:00: On-call GI bleed Consultant available via switchboard

Urgent referrals

Submit a PICS referral (PICS > Gastroenterology Referral UHB)

• Referrals will be reviewed Monday to Friday, 09:00 - 17:00
• For referrals after midday or at weekend/bank holidays, the referral will be reviewed the next working day. If same day input is required on a weekend or bank holiday, contact as per details listed in emergency referrals
• Do not call the Gastroenterology SpR for routine referrals

Non-urgent referrals

To refer for OP follow up for patients already known to gastroenterology team, please email relevant consultant secretaries.

Sub-speciality referrals and investigations

Endoscopy requests

A decision for an OP endoscopy request should only be made after discussion with a medical consultant or registrar.

• Requests are made via PICS (PICS > Upper GI Endoscopy QEHB or Lower GI Endoscopy QEHB)
• If patient has red-flag symptoms requiring 2WW OGD – request and tick relevant boxes on the referral. Advise patient that endoscopy team will contact patient within two weeks and arrange OGD date based on their triage
• If patient has new dyspepsia for which PPIs will be prescribed, do not request OP Endoscopy. Instead ask GP to review in four weeks and consider OGD and H pylori testing if appropriate

Nutrition team

If the patient is known to the nutrition team and requires their input:

• Consider admitting patient for inpatient care after discussion with medical SpR
• Monday to Fridays (08:00 - 16:00) contact Nutrition Nurses via PICS (PICS > Nutrition Nurse Specialist referral UHB) or ext 14561
• Weekend and bank holidays (09:00 - 17:00) contact Gastroenterology SpR for advice via internal extension 12429
• Reference Appendix 6 of Enteral Feeding Guidelines (available in the downloads below) for common troubleshooting in enteral feeding tubes

US abdomen requests

There are 2 US abdomen slots per day in MSDEC for admission avoidance purposes. If your patient requires US abdomen and is suitable for discharge, discuss with SDEC SPR/Consultant and book the patient into next available slot in the DVT/returners book.