Direct Endoscopy (Private Service)

What is Direct Endoscopy via Telehealth?

Our Direct Endoscopy via Telehealth pathway is designed to speed up access to gastroscopy or colonoscopy for low-risk patients. Instead of a full in-person consultation first, you will have a brief Telehealth screening (a short phone call or video appointment) to confirm you are suitable and to identify any higher-risk features that may require a longer consultation or different planning.

If appropriate, we can then arrange your endoscopy directly at a private hospital or day surgery on the next available date.

Why choose this option?

Direct Endoscopy via Telehealth may suit you if you:

• need an endoscopy as part of a recall/surveillance program or screening, and
• are in stable health, and
• have no significant medical comorbidities, and
• take limited medications.

This pathway helps reduce delays by allowing us to complete the key safety checks early and proceed to booking sooner.

How it works

1. Referral received (GP or specialist)
2. Telehealth screening (short phone/video) to confirm suitability and screen for higher risk
3. Procedure booking at an approved private facility
4. Admissions and paperwork organised by our team (email/phone/fax)
5. eAdmission completed at least 1 week before your procedure

Referral requirements (important)

To allow safe and efficient triage, referrals must include up-to-date details, including:

• Current medication list (including blood thinners/antiplatelets and diabetes medications)
• Relevant medical conditions and past history
• Allergies
• Recent renal function (where available, especially if older, on multiple medications, or with known kidney disease)
• Relevant prior endoscopy history and indication for this procedure
• Any recent blood tests and imaging (if performed)

Incomplete referrals may delay booking.

Who is usually suitable?

Patients are more likely to be suitable if they are:

• generally well and low risk
• on limited medications
• with no significant comorbidities
• not experiencing recent acute illness (e.g., significant cold/flu symptoms)

Some exclusions may apply based on clinical review.

Who may not be suitable (exclusions may apply)

Direct Endoscopy via Telehealth is generally not appropriate for patients who:

• have significant or unstable medical conditions (cardiac, respiratory, etc.)
• are actively unwell or have acute bleeding
• have contraindications to endoscopy (e.g., suspected perforation, severe acute diverticulitis, fulminant colitis)
• have significant bleeding risk that is not optimised (e.g., uncorrectable coagulopathy/thrombocytopenia)

If you are unwell or have concerning symptoms, you may require a full consultation or urgent assessment.

Hospital admission (eAdmission)

Please complete the online hospital admission (eAdmission) using the link provided by our team.
Submit this at least 1 week before your scheduled procedure to help prevent delays.

Book or enquire

To discuss Direct Endoscopy via Telehealth, please call 03 7040 8170.  Our team will assist you , arrange your Telehealth screening, and book the earliest suitable procedure date.