Outpatient Referral Guidelines

The Department of Health and Human Services has developed Statewide referral criteria to assist GPs and clinicians referring patients to Specialist Clinics. These referral criteria have been developed to improve access to Specialist Clinics in public hospitals by improving the quality and appropriateness of referrals.

• Abnormal liver function tests – Abnormal liver function tests | src.health.vic.gov.au
• Chronic refractory constipation – Chronic refractory constipation | src.health.vic.gov.au
• Chronic refractory diarrhoea – Chronic refractory diarrhoea | src.health.vic.gov.au
• Cirrhosis – Cirrhosis | src.health.vic.gov.au
• Coeliac disease – Coeliac disease | src.health.vic.gov.au
• Constipation with sentinel findings – Constipation with sentinel findings | src.health.vic.gov.au
• Diarrhoea with sentinel findings – Diarrhoea with sentinel findings | src.health.vic.gov.au
• Dysphagia – Dysphagia (gastroenterology) | src.health.vic.gov.au
• Gastroesophageal reflux – Gastroesophageal reflux | src.health.vic.gov.au
• Hepatitis B – Hepatitis B | src.health.vic.gov.au
• Hepatitis C – Hepatitis C | src.health.vic.gov.au
• Inflammatory bowel disease – Inflammatory bowel disease | src.health.vic.gov.au
• Iron deficiency – Persistent iron deficiency | src.health.vic.gov.au
• Rectal bleeding – Rectal bleeding | src.health.vic.gov.au

Inpatient services

We have a dedicated consultant-led ward service, staffed by a team of advanced and basic physician trainees in gastroenterology, with support provided by clinical nurse consultants pharmacists, dietitians and other allied health staff. We look after the broad spectrum emergent and urgent gastrointestinal presentations, including gastrointestinal bleeding, decompensated liver disease, acute hepatitis, disease worsening in IBD and other disorders. Furthermore we provide a dedicated registrar and consultant led on call service for any out-of-hours gastrointestinal emergencies.

Urgent referrals can be discussed with the Gastroenterology Registrar by calling Northern Health switchboard Tel: 8405 8000. Acutely unwell patients should be directed to the nearest Emergency Department.

Gastrointestinal

The Department of Gastroenterology also offers the following investigations for patients of Northern Health.

• Fibroscan – Fibroscan referral form
• Oesophageal Manometry & 24 hr pH Monitoring – referral form
• Capsule endoscopy – referral form
• Intestinal ultrasound – referral form

Endoscopy

Northern Health does not offer direct access endoscopy for referrals from General Practitioners. All referrals must first be addressed to the outpatients clinics.

Please note endoscopies are generally performed in accordance with Victorian *** Categorisation Guidelines:

• Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Categorisation Guideline
• Colonoscopy Categorisation Guideline

Our Services

Click on one of the below links which will then take you to the relevant information.

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Hepatology
• Endoscopy

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Service

The Northern Health Department of Gastroenterology’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) service delivers high-quality patient-centred care for people suffering from Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory intestinal disorders. A dedicated team of consultant gastroenterologists, IBD Fellows, colorectal surgeons, radiologists, IBD nurses, an IBD pharmacist, Australia’s first IBD Pharmacy Technician, specialist gastrointestinal dietitians, a psychologists strive to meet the complex care needs of patients with IBD as per best practices. An established and expanding research and international clinical trials portfolio provides the opportunity for patients to be part of cutting-edge research and novel therapies.

IBD Nurses

The Northern Health IBD nurses are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team who are our primary link between our patients and the treating medical and surgical team. They also provide:

• Specialist nursing advice, education and support for patients and their families through the IBD Helpline (see below)
• Coordinate the initiation and monitoring of biologic and thiopurine medications in patients

IBD Helpline

Hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 3pm (excluding Public Holidays)
Phone: 8405 2087
Email: ibdhelpline@nh.org.au

IBD Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician

The IBD pharmacy service at Northern Health consists of a Grade 3 pharmacist and a Grade 3 technician, who work collaboratively with the entire IBD team to optimise medication management for IBD patients in the hospital and the wider community

Contact details (8:30am – 5:30pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays):
Email: ibdpharmacy@nh.org.au

IBD Clinical trials

The Northern Health Department of Gastroenterology offer the option for patients to participate in multiple international clinical trials of new therapies for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. We also perform multiple investigator-initiated research projects for which we invite our patients to participate in.

For information on clinical trials please contact our Gastroenterology Clinical Trials service on:
Email: gastro.clinicaltrials@nh.org.au

Hepatology

The Northern Health Department of Gastroenterology’s Hepatology (liver disease) service delivers high-quality patient-centred care for people suffering from all types of liver disease, including those with abnormal liver function blood tests, hepatitis, and chronic liver disease with its associated complications including hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer, HCC). A dedicated team of consultant hepatologists, hepatology fellows, hepatobiliary surgeons, radiologists, hepatology nurses, and specialist gastrointestinal dietitians strive to meet the complex care needs of patients with liver disease as per best practices.

Endoscopy

The Northern Health Endoscopy Service is predominantly serviced by the Department of Gastroenterology. A team of gastroenterologists, upper gastrointestinal surgeons, colorectal surgeons, general surgeons and nurse endoscopists perform endoscopy at Northern Health. Endoscopies are performed at Northern Hospital Epping and Broadmeadows Health Service. Highly trained endoscopists use state-of-the-art equipment to perform a range of procedures, including:

• Gastroscopy
• Colonoscopy
• ERCP
• Endoscopic ultrasound

A number of specialised interventional procedures are performed to treat gastrointestinal bleeding, removal of small and large polyps, removal of bile duct stones, treatment of strictures (narrowings), screening for bowel cancer in patients with and without IBD, insertion and replacement of percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tubes. Northern Health is one of the only centres in Victoria that offer a specialised Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) service.

A dedicated and expert team of endoscopy nursing staff and anaesthetists ensure patients are cared for as safely as possible with the most up to date and high quality processes.

The Northern Health Endoscopy Service actively participates in training the next generation of endoscopists, and prides itself on an evolving quality and research program to ensure ongoing service improvement.

Patients may be seen in the Endoscopy Clinic before and following the procedure, or in a number of other gastroenterology clinics.

Research and Clinical Trials

The Northern Health Department of Gastroenterology offer the option for patients to participate in multiple international clinical trials of new therapies for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

There is a large portfolio of investigator-initiated research at Northern Health in affiliation with the University of Melbourne, led by A/Prof Mayur Garg, A/Prof Siddharth Sood, Dr Soleiman Kashkooli, and Dr Diana Lewis. Areas currently under focus include:

1. Assessment and development of novel management strategies for patients admitted to hospital with acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC)
2. Optimising detection of dysplastic lesions in patients with IBD
3. Quality and cost-effective use of advanced therapies such as biologics and small molecules in patients with IBD
4. Development of novel therapies for patients with stricturing Crohn’s disease
5. Care of patients with checkpoint inhibitor colitis
6. Optimising management of patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis
7. Assessment of new models of care for patients with Liver Disease
8. Assessment of outcomes of patients with intestinal tuberculosis

A dedicated team of research fellows, students and nurses form the cornerstone of this portfolio of research. Multiple opportunities for higher degree research such as PhD and MD exist within the unit. Please enquire via the Director of Gastroenterology, A/Prof Mayur Garg.

For information on clinical trials please contact our Gastroenterology Clinical Trials service on:
Email: gastro.clinicaltrials@nh.org.au

Contact Us

Department of Gastroenterology, Northern Health
Phone number Melissa Sciberras

Endoscopy Bookings Office
Hours: 8.00am to 4.30pm
Phone: 8405 8550
Email: NHEndoscopy.bookings@nh.org.au

Gastroenterology Outpatients
Hours: 8.00am to 4.30pm
Phone: 8405 8335
Contact us via the link Enquiries – Specialist Clinics

IBD Helpline
Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am – 3.00pm (excluding public holidays)
Phone: 8405 2087
Email: ibdhelpline@nh.org.au

IBD Pharmacist
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm (excluding public holidays)
Email: ibdpharmacy@nh.org.au

Gastroenterology Research
Email: gastro.clinicaltrials@nh.org.au