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General information
What is ‘Direct Access’ Colonoscopy?
Direct access colonoscopy allows GP’s to refer patients requiring Colonoscopy directly to Newcastle Endoscopy Centre thus reducing the cost & extended waiting period for an appointment with a specialist.
Newcastle Endoscopy Centre (NEC) in Charlestown is the Hunter’s only purpose-built, dedicated Endoscopy Facility.
Since the introduction of the Direct Access Colonoscopy service in October 2013, demand for the service has grown strongly and the admission criteria has been widened as a result.
Referred patients are phoned by our trained nursing staff, at this time they are:
- Assessed for suitability for the service
- Informed about the preparation & the procedure
- Provided with information regarding risks & benefits of the bowel preparation & procedure
- Informed about costs
- Booked for the procedure with one of the reputable NEC participating gastroenterologists or surgeons
- Emailed an information package containing the above information
Referrals are accepted for privately insured or self-funded patients who:
- Have a positive faecal occult blood test result
- Have a family history of colorectal cancer (1st degree relative, diagnosed under the age of 55 years)
- Have had previous colorectal polyps, cancer, Lynch Syndrome & procedure is within timeframe as per proceduralist
AND
- Are between 24 & 74 years of age, in good health with no significant co-morbidities
- ASA 1-3 (stable)
- Have a BMI not greater than 38 & weight not greater than 125kg
- Have a support person to stay with them post procedure
Patients not suitable for Direct Access Colonoscopy:
- Present with obvious rectal bleeding
- Have had cardiac surgery or stent in past 12 months
- Have dementia, intellectual disability, major psychiatric comorbidity, or language barrier
- Are frail, symptomatic, or unwell
- Have major chronic medical issues
- Have poor mobility
All proceduralists at NEC have Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) Colonoscopy Certification.
Participating Specialists:
- Dr Hasitha Balasuriya
- Dr Michelle Chen
- Dr Louise Clarke
- Dr Brian Draganic
- Dr Robert Foster
- Dr Anil Koshy
- Dr Brendan McManus
- Dr Owen Morris
- Dr Marie Ooi
- Dr Marisol Perez Cerdeira
- Dr Peter Pockney
- Dr Michael Potter
- A/Prof Stephen Smith
- Dr Yamini Yadav
- Dr Alkesh Zala
(NEC is a private centre – patients may self-fund – VMO choices may be limited as not all VMO accept self-funding patients – please select ‘any doctor’ or phone VMO direct to check, if you select a VMO who will not accept self-funding patients- the patient will be referred to a VMO who does accept self-funding patients).
General Practitioners are able to refer their suitable patients to NEC for rapid assessment and treatment, thereby avoiding the cost of, and the often extended waiting period for an appointment with a specialist. Online templates of the referral forms are available for practices using “Best Practice” or “Medical Director”.
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