National Bowel Cancer Screening

Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) screening for bowel cancer saves lives. From 2019, the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) will invite your patients aged 50 to 74 years to participate in the screening program using Immunochemical FOBT every 2 years.

The Gastroenterology Department will deliver Direct Access Colonoscopy service to patients residing in LIVERPOOL and FAIRFIELD LGA who return a positive FOBT done with the NBCSP. We will provide a high quality, patient-centred service which is supported by a FOBT nurse, Gastroenterologists, anaesthetic and nursing expertise.

With Direct Access Colonoscopy, patients with minor health problems will proceed directly to their colonoscopy without needing an initial Specialist consultation. Patients with significant co-morbidities will be scheduled an appointment to see a Specialist prior to colonoscopy, as per current practice.

The steps are outlined below:

1. Inform your patient of the positive FOBT and recommend a colonoscopy. Ensure that they are willing to attend this test without an initial specialist consultation, and that they do not have gastrointestinal symptoms that require prior assessment.
   
2. Complete the referral form. Please fax or email the completed referral form, recent blood tests(FBE, UEC, LFT, Iron studies)and FOBT results to the Triple I Hub on 02 4621 8799 or SWSLHD-TripleI@health.nsw.gov.au.
   
3. The referral form will be reviewed to determine if your patient is suitable for Direct Access Colonoscopy–you may be contacted for more information.
   
4. Patients who are suitable for Direct Access Colonoscopy will be directly contacted by our FOBT nurse to discuss the nature of the procedure including bowel preparation, completing the admission form and scheduling of the procedure. Patients deemed not suitable for Direct Access Colonoscopy will be scheduled an appointment with a specialist in the clinic.
   
5. Your patient will see you after the colonoscopy to discuss the results and subsequent follow-up plan.
   
6. For more information, please contact Triple I Hub on 1800 455 511 or email at SWSLHD-TripleI@health.nsw.gov.au.

Instructions after signing in:
Click Medical > Click Gastroenterology > Click Colorectal > Click Positive Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)