Direct Access Colonoscopy Information for Referring GPs
One Referral. Complete Coordination.
Send your referral and our team will:
✓ Identify the closest and earliest available participating Gap/No Gap specialist and suitable private hospital procedure location across Australia.
✓ Match the patient with a participating proceduralist based on location, availability and referral requirements
✓ Coordinate procedure booking
✓ Provide bowel preparation instructions
✓ Facilitate hospital paperwork
✓ Return procedure results to you
You send the referral. We coordinate the rest.
All referrals are clinically reviewed by participating specialists.
Direct Access Colonoscopy at a Glance
✓ Appropriate for selected patients
✓ Standard GP referral pathway
✓ Specialist triage prior to booking
✓ Procedure reports returned to referring GP
✓ Fast access in participating hospitals
Patient selection criteria
Suitable patients may include:
- Positive FIT/iFOBT
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Rectal bleeding
- Change in bowel habit
- Surveillance indications
May require prior specialist review:
- Significant comorbidity
- Anticoagulation complexity
- Suspected inflammatory bowel disease
- High anaesthetic risk
- Complex prior abdominal surgery
Specialist Clinical Triage
All referrals are:
- Reviewed for appropriateness
- Triaged based on clinical urgency
- Assessed for suitability for direct access
Where required, patients will be redirected for specialist consultation.
Communication and Reporting
- Referring GPs receive procedure reports
- Relevant findings and follow-up recommendations are communicated
- Ongoing care remains with the GP unless specialist input is required
Referral Checklist
Please include:
☐ Indication
☐ Relevant history
☐ Medications
☐ Anticoagulants
☐ Relevant investigation results
Ready to refer?
Contact us for referral information or eligibility queries.
- Submit a standard GP referral – form above
- Contact our team if clarification is required
Learn more about Direct Access Colonoscopy
FAQ for GPs
- Which patients are suitable for direct access colonoscopy?
Suitable patients may include those with appropriate indications for colonoscopy who do not require a prior specialist consultation, such as patients with a positive FIT/iFOBT, rectal bleeding, change in bowel habit, iron deficiency anaemia, or surveillance indications. Suitability is determined following specialist review of the referral and may vary according to clinical circumstances. - How are referrals triaged?
All referrals are clinically reviewed by participating specialists to assess appropriateness, urgency, and suitability for direct access colonoscopy. Patients requiring additional assessment or where further clarification is needed may be redirected for specialist consultation prior to booking. - Are procedure reports sent back to the GP?
Yes. Referring GPs receive a procedure report following colonoscopy, including relevant findings, pathology results when applicable, and follow-up recommendations to support ongoing patient care. - Can patients with comorbidities be referred?
Yes, referrals for patients with comorbidities can be submitted. Some patients may still be suitable for direct access colonoscopy, while others may require prior specialist assessment depending on procedural risk, medical complexity, or anaesthetic considerations. Each referral is reviewed individually. - What information should referrals include?
Referrals should include the indication for colonoscopy, relevant clinical history, past medical history, current medications (particularly anticoagulants), and any relevant investigation results available, such as pathology or imaging. Providing complete referral information assists timely clinical triage.