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Northern Devon Healthcare Trust was previously offering a direct flexible sigmoidoscopy both for routine patients and two week referrals prior to the pandemic, but with significant pressures on endoscopy and a significant change in practice with more reliance on q-FIT testing this arrangement has now changed.
Patients seen in a two week wait clinic with rectal bleeding will have their q-FIT test reviewed and if the q-FIT test is high, they will be booked for a colonoscopy, rather than a flexible sigmoidoscopy. If there is concern by the GP to refer patients for a two week referral with rectal bleeding, they should be referred direct to the 2ww clinic. The q-FIT test should be included with the referral.
A flow chart is available on the formulary and referral site. More details about the arrangements are in the letter here.
Publication date: March 2022
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