Direct Access Endoscopy (NL & NEL)

Definition/Description

Red Flag Symptoms

No Red Flag Symptoms Listed

Guidelines on Management

Upper GI Gastroscopy (Direct Access) Service Diana Princess of Wales Hospital Grimsby and Scunthorpe General Hospital Procedures Performed:

Diagnostic fibre optic endoscopic examination of upper gastrointestinal tract and biopsies, if indicated. Do’s:

  • Gastroscopy within 14 days (routine & urgent)
  • 18 years and over
  • Male & Female
  • For clinical indications: Dysphagia; Reflux Symptoms; Dyspepsia; Nausea/Vomiting; Coeliac Histology; Other
  • Practices should ensure that both endoscopy report and histology are sent to the same clinician
  • Practices should refer to Gastroenterology if the histology shows Barrett’s Oesaphagus

Don’ts:

  • Refer patients presenting with potential alarm symptoms, where there is an increased suspicion of an underlying diagnosis of Upper GI cancer, should be referred as a 2ww Gastroenterology or 2ww Upper GI surgery rapid diagnostic pathway using the existing pathways or depending
  • Patients presenting with acute hematemesis or melena, should be considered for emergency admission  Patients 17 years and under
  • Patients taking long term anticoagulation or prosthetic heart valve
  • Pregnancy

Referral Criteria/Information

No Referral Criteria/Information

Associated Policies

There are no associated policies.

Specialties

There are no associated specialties.

Places covered by

  • north-east-lincolnshire
  • north-lincolnshire

Hospital Trusts

  • northern-lincolnshire-and-goole
Author: Ryan Jewitt
Date created: 03/07/2025, 11:07
Last modified: 03/07/2025, 11:15
Date of review: 2026. 04. 03.