Option 1: Straight to tests
You may be referred straight to the hospital for tests to investigate any concerns. Please see the section titled ‘tests/investigations which may take place’ for further information on what these may involve.
Option 2: Initial telephone triage
Here at Salisbury we are piloting a new service where by your first contact from the hospital, if not sent directly to test, could be a telephone triage assessment carried out by a Colorectal Nurse Specialist.
This is being carried out to help reduce the waiting time before you are seen.
During this telephone call you will be asked questions about your health, your symptoms and your personal circumstances. The colorectal specialist will then advise what tests you need to have. You will then be contacted via letter or telephone to confirm a date for an appointment for any further tests. Most tests take place within 2- 6 weeks. It is helpful if you can tell us of any holidays you may have planned, or dates when you are not able to come to hospital for tests.
In some circumstances after a telephone assessment the nurse may feel it is appropriate for you to see a colorectal consultant in the first instance.
Why am I not being seen in person in clinic?
Many other hospitals carry out telephone assessment for patients that have been referred to the hospital with colorectal symptoms. Feedback from them is that patients have found this more convenient as saves the journey up to hospital.
The majority of patients that are seen first in an outpatient setting often are sent on for further investigations. By assessing you over the telephone we hope that we can speed this process up for you so you then receive possibly treatment or explanation for your concerns sooner.
If you do not want to have a colorectal telephone assessment then please call the rapid referral office on 01722 336262 ext 4427.
