Dr Alan Moss
Western Health provides the following Specialist Clinics for patients who require assessment and management of Gastroenterology / Hepatology conditions. Patients will be triaged by Consultant Gastroenterologists into one of the following management pathways according to specific clinical requirements:
Direct Access Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (DAGE) pathway: for patients with gastrointestinal symptoms or signs that indicate the need for urgent (Category 1) endoscopic procedure(s). These patients must be suitable to proceed straight to procedure without prior specialist consultation. Category 1 definitions are as per Victorian DHHS statewide gastroscopy and colonoscopy triage guidelines.
Gastroenterology clinic: for patients with gastroenterological symptoms and signs that are not suitable for the DAGE pathway.
IBD clinic: for patients with diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Hepatitis clinic: for patients with confirmed viral hepatitis B or C.
Hepatoma clinic: for patients who have suspected or diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatoma) for management.
Endoscopy Standard Clinic: for patients requiring consultation related to standard endoscopic procedures.
Endoscopy Interventional Clinic: for patients requiring consultation related to complex or advanced endoscopic procedures.
Click here for specific access and referral criteria and clinical investigation requirements. Please note referrals that do not contain the minimum investigations outlined above will be returned with a request for more information. Referrers have 30 days to respond to a request for more information otherwise the referral will not be accepted.
The following common Gastroenterology conditions, in the absence of alarm symptoms, are not seen by Gastroenterology specialists at Western Health:
Chronic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
Bloating, flatulence, functional dyspepsia
Chronic nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Chronic constipation
Chronic diarrhea
Simple liver cysts less than 3cm in diameter
Alarm Symptoms:
Significant weight loss (10% or more of body weight)
Dysphagia or odynophagia
GI bleeding (upper GI bleeding or lower GI bleeding)
Abdominal mass (or imaging study showing abdominal mass)
Anaemia and/or iron deficiency
MBS patients are bulk billed. Referrals need to be to the named Head of Unit.
See here for information on how to refer and general contact information:
Fax referrals to 8345 6856.
Call Gastroenterology Registrar via switchboard to discuss a referral 8345 6666
