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Westmead Hospital's Endoscopy Department provides high quality screening examinations for patients referred as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
To improve timely access to this service, we developed a rapid access clinic for patients with positive faecal occult blood tests.
The Rapid Access FOBT Clinic triages referrals of positive FOBT patients from primary referrers.
The Clinic is open to patients living in the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) catchment areas served by Westmead Hospital, Auburn Hospital and Blacktown & Mount Druitt hospitals. Westmead & Auburn hospitals catchment area l Blacktown & Mount Druitt hospitals catchment area
Asymptomatic patients who have returned a positive FOBT are assessed at the FOBT Clinic by a specialty nurse.
After assessment, eligible patients undergo colonoscopy at Auburn or Westmead Hospital. Education on bowel preparation and diet preparation for the colonoscopy is provided at the clinic.
The endoscopy report and the pathology report of the colonoscopy, together with the discharge instructions, are faxed to the referring doctor soon after the procedure. Patients only follow up at the Gastroenterology Clinic if it is necessary.
The Rapid Access FOBT Clinic is for patients who experience no symptoms but return a positive faecal occult blood test for bowel cancer screening.
Patients with any gastrointestinal symptoms or any alarm features are not seen in the FOBT Clinic - they are managed through Westmead Hospital's general Gastroenterology Clinic instead.
1. Download / print the 'Rapid Access Clinic Referral Form' in your preferred format:
Electronic PDF l rtf l Fillable PDF
2. Fax or email completed referral forms along with the information listed below* to:
02 8890 5118
[email protected]
*Please include the following information when faxing or emailing the referral form:
For FOBT Clinic enquiries please call 0439 702 568.
For all symptomatic patients, please fax referrals to (02) 8890 8333 (the general Gastroenterology Clinic). They will be given first priority for clinic appointments.
All patients with a current Medicare Card will be bulk billed. Patients without a valid Medicare Card will be charged the schedule fee.
A/Prof Nicholas Burgess - Gastroenterologist
Betty Lo or Alison Bannister - Clinical Nurse Consultants
Visit the Western Sydney HealthPathways website for more information about screening and surveillance programs for bowel cancer in asymptomatic patients.
To access this information on the HealthPathways site, follow the pathway outlined below by clicking on the following options from the left hand menu: Medical > Gastroenterology and Hepatology > Bowel Cancer Screening and Surveillance
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death in Australia. Most bowel cancer starts with a small growth of tissue called a polyp on the bowel wall lining.
Polyps can change into a cancerous tumour if not found and removed early. Bowel cancer is very preventable. Bowel cancers that are detected early by screening have very good treatment outcomes.
People who have pre-cancerous polyps or people who are at the early stage of bowel cancer may not have any symptoms. Some people may only develop symptoms when cancer is advanced. Early detection and removal of pre-cancerous polyps through bowel screening is therefore very important for all people who have no symptoms aged 50-74 years. If you do have symptoms of rectal bleeding or abdominal pain, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.
A faecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a simple test you can do at home. It involves taking tiny samples of stool from separate bowel motions. Stool samples are sent to the laboratory via the mail.
This test can detect traces of blood which may not be visible in bowel movements. The result will be sent to you and your nominated family doctor.
The free test kit is mailed to people age 50-74 every two years via the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP). If you have not received a kit and are in the screening age range, you can contact the NBCSP and they will send you a kit in the mail. A non-NBCSP faecal occult blood test kit can also be obtained from your family doctor or directly purchased from the chemist.
The result will be mailed to you and your nominated family doctor in around two weeks.
If the result is negative (i.e. if there are no traces of blood in the stool), you just need to perform another FOBT in two years time. However, if you develop symptoms before the next test is due, you should always contact your family doctor for advice.
If the result is positive, that means traces of blood were detected. It is important that you talk to your doctor about further investigation.
You will need a referral letter from your general practitioner (GP) or specialist practitioner to access the clinic. Your doctor will need to fax your referral letter to us.
You will receive an appointment letter for the first consultation in the mail. Please ensure that you read this letter thoroughly and contact us if you have questions or concerns.
All patients with a current Medicare Card will be bulk billed.
Patients without a valid Medicare Card will be charged the schedule fee and will be required to attend the Cashiers Office. Please allow additional time prior to your appointment for this. The Cashiers Office is located in the main corridor on Level 2 of the hospital (near the Post Office).
The FOBT Clinic is held every Friday from 2pm to 4:30pm.
We are located at the University Clinic at Westmead Hospital.
Instructions on how to get to Westmead Hospital are provided with your appointment letter. You can also find information about parking and public transport options by visiting the Getting to Westmead Hospital webpage.
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
Health Information Facts Sheets from Gastroenterological Society of Australia
0439 702 568 (Monday, Tuesday & Friday from 8:30am to 5pm)