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This guidance covers recurrent haemorrhoids with associated persistent pain or bleeding.
Haemorrhoids (piles) are enlarged blood vessels found inside or around the rectum or anus.
Please note pre-referral criteria are applicable in this referral and referrals may be returned if this information is not contained within the referral letter.
Referral for specialist assessment and treatment of haemorrhoids is not routinely commissioned in Devon. Referral will only be funded if:
The haemorrhoids are prolapsed and incarcerated, and cannot be reduced (fourth degree haemorrhoids)
Or
The haemorrhoids are recurrent and associated with persistent bleeding and /or pain
And
There is failure of documented conservative management techniques after at least three months
Haemorrhoids are often mild and sometimes asymptomatic, when symptoms are present, they include:
Haemorrhoids are classified as internal or external; internal haemorrhoids are graded as follows:
Consider admission for:
Refer on the suspected colorectal pathway:
Consider referral on the suspected colorectal cancer pathway:
a. abdominal pain;
b. change in bowel habit;
c. weight loss;
d. iron-deficiency anaemia
Conservative management techniques include:
Refer for specialist assessment and treatment of haemorrhoids if:
The haemorrhoids are prolapsed and incarcerated, and cannot be reduced (fourth degree haemorrhoids)
Or
The haemorrhoids are recurrent and associated with persistent bleeding and / or pain
And
There is failure of documented conservative management techniques after at least three months.
Conservative management techniques include:
Referrals submitted without this information may be returned.
Commissioned if:
Recurrent haemorrhoids
And
Persistent bleeding and / or pain (significant discomfort)
And
Failure of documented management techniques after at least three months.
Commissioned if:
Fourth-degree haemorrhoids
Or
Third-degree haemorrhoids associated with persistent bleeding and / or pain (significant discomfort) that have not responded to non-surgical treatment in line with the above policy statement, or which are too large for non-surgical measures
Or
Second-degree haemorrhoids associated with persistent bleeding and / or pain that have not responded to non-surgical treatment in line with the above policy statement.
The removal of anal skin tags is not routinely commissioned in Devon.
NHS Devon referral and specialist management of haemorrhoids in adults Commissioning Policy
Referrals submitted without this information may be returned.
e-Referral Service selection
MyHealth patient information - Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoid clinical policy patient support information
This guideline has been signed off on behalf of NHS Devon.
Publication date: February 2020
Updated: May 2023