Specialty: Gastroenterology
Age group: Adult
Direct to an emergency department for:
- Potentially life-threatening symptoms suggestive of acute severe upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding.
Criteria for referral to public hospital specialist clinic services
- Recent onset, persistent symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux with:
- unintended weight loss (greater than or equal to 5 percent of body weight in previous 6 months)
- dysphagia
- vomiting
- iron deficiency that persists despite correction of potential causative factors.
- Surveillance for previously diagnosed Barrett’s oesophagus.
Information to be included in the referral
Information that must be provided
- Onset, characteristics and duration of sentinel findings e.g. changes in weight, ferritin levels
- Previous endoscopy results
- Current and complete medication history (including non-prescription medicines, herbs and supplements).
Provide if available
Not applicable.
Additional comments
The Summary and referral information lists the information that should be included in a referral request.
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
- Patients with any other gastroesophageal reflux
- Patients with controlled symptoms
- Patients that cease treatment and symptoms return
- Belching
- Halitosis
- Screening for Barrett’s oesophagus in patients with gastroesophageal reflux without additional symptoms.
Reviewed 27 May 2025