Colonoscopy referrals for participants in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program

The National Health and Medical Research Council approved Clinical practise guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer recommend colonoscopy should be performed as promptly as possible after a positive Faecal Occult Blood Test.

Following a clinical assessment of your patient, you may refer them for a colonoscopy, unless there is some contra-indication to this. It is not recommended that a positive result be investigated with a further FOBT.

Referring options

All patients have the choice to be referred to a public hospital, a medical specialist practising in a public hospital or to a medical specialist in private practice.

When referring, you need to identify your patient as a National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBSCP) participant by using the stickers provided or by noting the patient’s NBCSP participation in the referral letter. This will help with managing the referral and reporting back to the NBCSP Register.

Public hospital referrals

Public colonoscopy referrals made to SA Health hospitals allow access to a timely and cost-free colonoscopy. Patients must be aware that there may be a small cost for the bowel preparation.

• Send the GP Assessment Report form to the NBCSP Register, either electronically or manually.
• Send a copy of the GP Assessment Report form with the clinical referral letter to the appropriate hospital. For country referrals, either forward direct to the appropriate hospital, or give the paperwork to your patient to take to the specialist.

If you are not referring your patient for an assessment colonoscopy, send the GP Assessment Report form to the NBCSP Register marked not referred.

Referrals to medical specialists in private practice

• Send the GP Assessment Report form to the NBCSP Register, either electronically or manually
• Send a copy of the NBCSP Assessment Form with the clinical referral letter as per your normal referral process

Ordering more stickers

Participant stickers are available from the National Bowel Screening Cancer Program website or call the NBCSP Information Line on 1800 118 868.