Colorectal Medicine and Genetics

We provide treatment, care and support for people with bowel-related diseases.

Key points

Diagnosis, treatment and care for people with bowel-related diseases
Screening and early detection of bowel cancer

Patients need a referral from their GP or healthcare provider. Access referral information

What we do

Our Colorectal Medicine and Genetics service provides diagnosis, treatment and care for people with bowel-related diseases.

We provide the following services:

Screening and early detection of bowel cancer
Familial bowel cancer including risk assessment in conjunction with the Familial Cancer Centre, biennial faecal occult blood test (FOBT), endoscopy bookings and reminder service
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) management (genetic counselling, surveillance and clinical consultation)
Lynch syndrome
Serrated polyposis syndrome
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS)
Inflammatory bowel disease management
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn's disease
Coeliac disease
Irritable bowel syndrome
Specialists and comprehensive endoscopy in conjunction with Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Colorectal Surgery
Capsule endoscopy
Wireless capsule endoscopy (PillCam) is available for established clinical indications
Clinical research in bowel cancer and inflammatory bowel disease
Clinicopathology and radiology review service
External consultancies
Consultancies for government and industry or venture capital proposals

For patients

For health professionals

Referrals

We accept GP and specialist referrals:

Use the RMH referral form or a template from your own system
Complete and fax your referral to Specialist Clinics (Outpatients) on (03) 9342 4234

We do not accept email referrals.

What to include in your referral

As outlined by the Department of Health, referral requests should include:

Patient demographic information
Referrer demographic information
Reason for referral
Presenting problem
Service(s) requested
Required referral information specified by statewide or local referral criteria
Current patient management
Impact of the problem on the patient
Name of the consultant and provider number (for Medicare clinics)
Investigation reports related to the referral

Urgent and after-hours support

Referrals are triaged based on priority. In an emergency, patients can go to the Emergency & Trauma Service at any time.

For advice, urgent referrals and out of hours support, call The RMH Switchboard on (03) 9342 7000 to page our registrar on call.

View Dept of Health guidelines

Special referral instructions

HealthPathways Melbourne provides guidance on best practice assessment and management of common medical conditions, including when and where to refer patients.

Parkville Connect is a secure web-based portal providing GPs, specialists and other health professionals with information in the Parkville electronic medical record (EMR).

Our research

Research activities and projects

Opportunities for research (Masters, Honours, PhD) are available in:

Colorectal cancer genetics (including FAP and Lynch syndrome and polyposis syndromes)
Surveillance monitoring and application in familial bowel cancer including syndromic families
Variant curation of GI cancer predisposing genes: Management of international variant databases (LOVD and ClinVar)
Capsule endoscopy
Confocal endomicroscopy and HALO radiofrequency ablation
Randomised controlled trials of chemoprevention including aspirin in Lynch syndrome (CAPP studies)
Gene expression studies
Aetiology and therapeutic trials in IBD including the microbiome
Enzyme therapy in coeliac disease

Consultancies for Government and industry or venture capital proposals are invited.

Links & documents

National Bowel Cancer Screening Program

Cancer Council Victoria

Gastroenterological Society of Australia

Australian & New Zealand Gastroenterology International Training Association

Need to change or cancel your appointment?

Do one of the following:

Access Health Hub to change the appointment yourself
Complete our online form and we'll change it for you
Call Specialist Clinics (Outpatients) on (03) 9342 7393 and we'll help you over the phone

What to bring

Every time you come

Every time you come in for a test, day procedure, surgery or treatment, you should bring:

Medicare card
Health Care card (if you have one)
Concession card (if you have one)
Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
Medications you are currently taking, including any that you have bought without a prescription
X-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results you have which are related to your procedure
Private health insurance card (if you want to use it)
Aids (glasses, hearing aid, walking frame)

For a clinic appointment

If you come for a clinic appointment, you should also bring:

Your appointment letter
Any special items listed on your letter
Your appointment book (if relevant)
TAC or WorkCover claim number

For a day procedure

If you come for a day procedure, you should also bring:

A responsible adult carer to stay with you to hear instructions, help you and take you home
Dressing gown and slippers

For an overnight or longer stay

If you come for an overnight (or longer stay), you should also bring:

A dressing gown and slippers, or comfortable day clothes and shoes
Your toiletries
Your iPad or tablet and phone, provided you are happy to take responsibility for them

Do not bring (for overnight or longer stay)

And if you're staying overnight or longer, do not bring:

Your handbag, wallet, purse or large amounts of cash. Just bring a small amount for items such as newspapers, magazines or coffee
Valuables, such as jewellery, watches or other items of value to you