Minor Anal Complaints

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

Referral can be made for:

  • Anal fissures
  • Pilonidal sinus
  • Skin tags
  • Anal warts

All referrals should comply to referral standards and include in particular:

  • Onset
  • Duration and severity of symptoms
  • Bleeding
  • Constipation
  • Co-morbidities eg HIV, IBD

Tests

  • PR examination and result

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the General Surgery clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

  • Advice on bowel management, avoidance of constipation, local creams should be offered.

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Urgent / category 1

Perianal mass eg. Possible cancer

Perianal complications of IBD

Perianal abscess

Routine / category 3

Anal fissures

Pilonidal sinus

Skin tags

Anal warts

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency:

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Urgent:

For urgent referrals call the RHH switch on 6166 8308 and ask for the nurse in charge of surgical clinics or the relevant consultant to expedite the consultation.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Semi-urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks

Routine:

Next available appointment