Constipation
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If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or follow local emergency care protocols or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.
- No emergency indicators identified; routine prioritisation applies
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Request for Advice (RFA)
GPs may use the Request for Advice (RFA) pathway when patients present with mild, stable anaemia or iron deficiency that does not meet criteria for urgent referral. This allows specialist input while supporting ongoing management in primary care and avoiding unnecessary waitlisting.
- Chronic functional constipation without any concerning features
- Opioid-related constipation manageable with community measures
- Mild bowel habit changes due to lifestyle or diet
Other Useful Information
- Refer to HealthPathways for assessment and management recommendations.
- Consider the following:
- Refer to a dietitian with knowledge and experience in managing gastrointestinal issues
- Bowel outlet obstruction
- Physiotherapist management of pelvic floor dysfunction
Note: If a patient who has been fully investigated 2 years prior to referral. Then the referrer and the receiving clinician will need to exercise clinical decision making in triaging and or value in repeat endoscopy / colonoscopy procedures.
| Category 1 (appointment within 30 calendar days) |
|
| Category 2 (appointment within 90 calendar days) |
Note: Referrals for conditions such as constipation should be directed through the most clinically appropriate pathway. This may include a complementary care pathway, a Dietitian First gastroenterology clinic pathway. The triage process should be guided by the patient’s predominant clinical features, the suspected underlying cause, and the investigations or interventions most likely to be required. In some Hospital and Health Services (HHSs), patients may be considered for an initial assessment by a Dietitian, either before or instead of being referred to Gastroenterology. This approach supports appropriate and timely referrals to the most suitable pathway, ensuring patients receive the care that best addresses their specific needs. |
| Category 3 (appointment within 365 calendar days) |
Note: Referrals for conditions such as constipation should be directed through the most clinically appropriate pathway. This may include a complementary care pathway, a Dietitian First gastroenterology clinic pathway. The triage process should be guided by the patient’s predominant clinical features, the suspected underlying cause, and the investigations or interventions most likely to be required. In some Hospital and Health Services (HHSs), patients may be considered for an initial assessment by a Dietitian, either before or instead of being referred to Gastroenterology. This approach supports appropriate and timely referrals to the most suitable pathway, ensuring patients receive the care that best addresses their specific needs. |
Please insert the below information and minimum referral criteria into referral
1. Reason for request Indicate on the referral
- To establish a diagnosis
- For treatment or intervention
- For advice and management
- For specialist to take over management
- Reassurance for GP/second opinion
- For a specified test/investigation the GP can't order, or the patient can't afford or access
- Reassurance for the patient/family
- For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
- Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary
2. Essential referral information Referral will be returned without this
- Documented trial of standard therapy of at least 6 weeks with at least two of: fibre supplementation, Senna, or PEG-based laxatives for Categories 2 and 3.
- iFOBT/FIT for all patients aged ≥40 years and a faecal calprotectin for patients under 50 years (who meet MBS criteria for testing), particularly if there has been no endoscopy or colonoscopy in the past two years
- FBC, ELFTs, Iron studies results
3. Additional referral information Useful for processing the referral
- Relevant imaging reports (e.g. CT abdomen)
- TSH, TFTs (if TSH abnormal)
- Coeliac serology in patients <50 years
4. Request
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Patient's Demographic Details
- Full name (including aliases)
- Date of birth
- Residential and postal address
- Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative
- Medicare number (where eligible)
- Name of the parent or caregiver (if appropriate)
- Preferred language and interpreter requirements
- Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Referring Practitioner Details
- Full name
- Full address
- Contact details – telephone, fax, email
- Provider number
- Date of referral
- Signature
Relevant clinical information about the condition
- Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
- Physical findings
- Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
- Current medications and dosages
- Drug allergies
- Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use
Reason for request
- To establish a diagnosis
- For treatment or intervention
- For advice and management
- For specialist to take over management
- Reassurance for GP/second opinion
- For a specified test/investigation the GP can't order, or the patient can't afford or access
- Reassurance for the patient/family
- For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
- Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary
Clinical modifiers
- Impact on employment
- Impact on education
- Impact on home
- Impact on activities of daily living
- Impact on ability to care for others
- Impact on personal frailty or safety
- Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Other relevant information
- Willingness to have surgery (where surgery is a likely intervention)
- Choice to be treated as a public or private patient
- Compensable status (e.g. DVA, Work Cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, etc.)
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If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or follow local emergency care protocols or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.
Please note that where appropriate and where available, the referral may be streamed to an associated public allied health and/or nursing service. Access to some specific services may include initial assessment and management by associated public allied health and/or nursing, which may either facilitate or negate the need to see the public medical specialist.
A change in patient circumstance (such as condition deteriorating, or becoming pregnant) may affect the urgency categorisation and should be communicated as soon as possible.
Please indicate in the referral if the patient is unable to access mandatory tests or investigations as they incur a cost or are unavailable locally.
Last updated: 29 September 2026
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