GP Referral
For GPs
This page outlines when to refer, what to include, and how referrals can be directed through the private and public pathways.
When to refer?
Referring to Dr Xavier Harvey
Dr Xavier Harvey
Surgeon, Member of the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand
Common reasons for referral include:
- Rectal bleeding
- Change in bowel habit
- Positive FOBT or bowel cancer screening result
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Haemorrhoids
- Anal fissure or anal pain
- Perianal abscess or fistula
- Diverticular disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease concerns
- Colorectal cancer diagnosis or suspicion
- Pilonidal disease
- Faecal incontinence
- Pelvic floor or obstructed defaecation symptoms
- Colonoscopy assessment, where appropriate
Private, public referrals
Dr Harvey sees private patients in Bunbury.
He can also see some public patients, but access to publicly funded surgery is currently limited. Public patient referrals that may require surgery need approval through the local public hospital pathway. This is assessed case by case and cannot be guaranteed.
Where approval is available, some public patients may be able to receive subspecialist colorectal surgical care with Dr Harvey at St John of God Bunbury Hospital. Where approval is not available, patients will need referral through the usual WACHS public surgical pathway.
If you are unsure whether a patient may be suitable for this pathway, please contact our rooms before sending the referral.
What to include in the referral?
Please include:
- Reason for referral and level of urgency
- Main symptoms and duration
- Bleeding history, including frequency and volume
- Bowel habit changes, including constipation, diarrhoea, urgency or incontinence
- Weight loss, abdominal pain or obstructive symptoms
- Relevant examination findings, including abdominal and PR findings if performed
- Relevant surgical and medical history
- Current medications, especially anticoagulants, antiplatelets, diabetes medications and immunosuppressants
- Allergies
- FBC, iron studies, CRP and relevant stool tests where available
- Imaging reports, including CT, MRI, ultrasound or defaecating studies where relevant
- Previous colonoscopy or gastroscopy reports
- Histology results, if available
- Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
- Private health insurance status, if relevant
- Whether the referral is private, public, or uncertain
Referring to Dr Halim Elsherif
Dr Halim Elsherif
Gastroenterologist
Refer to Dr Halim Elsherif for gastroenterology assessment, including:
- Unexplained abdominal pain or altered bowel habit
- Suspected or known inflammatory bowel disease
- Iron deficiency anaemia requiring gastrointestinal investigation
- Chronic diarrhoea
- Complex reflux, dyspepsia or upper gastrointestinal symptoms
- Liver or pancreaticobiliary concerns, if within scope
- Endoscopy or colonoscopy assessment, where appropriate
Dr Halim is private-only.
What to include in the referral?
Please include:
- Reason for referral and level of urgency
- Main gastrointestinal symptoms and duration
- Bowel habit pattern, including diarrhoea, constipation, bleeding, mucus or urgency
- Abdominal pain features, including site, triggers and associated symptoms
- Weight loss, fevers, fatigue or systemic symptoms
- Relevant medical history, including known IBD, coeliac disease, liver disease or previous gastrointestinal diagnoses
- Current medications, including NSAIDs, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, PPIs, immunosuppressants and biologics
- Allergies
- Relevant pathology, including FBC, iron studies, CRP, LFTs, coeliac serology and stool tests where available
- Faecal calprotectin, if IBD is suspected
- Imaging reports, if performed
- Previous endoscopy or colonoscopy reports
- Histology results, if available
- Family history of bowel cancer, polyps, IBD or coeliac disease
- Private health insurance status, if relevant
Referring to Dr Callum Pearce
Dr Callum Pearce
Gastroenterologist
Some patients need gastroenterology care that is best provided in Perth.
Dr Callum Pearce works in collaboration with Dr Xavier Harvey for patients who need coordinated gastroenterology and colorectal surgical care.
This may be helpful for patients with:
- IBD, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis requiring specialist medical management
- Patients who may need investigation, treatment planning or follow-up in Perth
- Patients already under Perth-based specialist care who need coordinated colorectal input in Bunbury
Consultations with Dr Callum Pearce are arranged directly through his Perth rooms.
What to include in the referral?
Please include:
- Reason for referral and level of urgency
- Main gastrointestinal symptoms and duration
- Bowel habit pattern, including diarrhoea, constipation, bleeding, mucus or urgency
- Abdominal pain features, including site, triggers and associated symptoms
- Weight loss, fevers, fatigue or systemic symptoms
- Relevant medical history, including known IBD, coeliac disease, liver disease or previous gastrointestinal diagnoses
- Current medications, including NSAIDs, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, PPIs, immunosuppressants and biologics
- Allergies
- Relevant pathology, including FBC, iron studies, CRP, LFTs, coeliac serology and stool tests where available
- Faecal calprotectin, if IBD is suspected
- Imaging reports, if performed
- Previous endoscopy or colonoscopy reports
- Histology results, if available
- Family history of bowel cancer, polyps, IBD or coeliac disease
- Private health insurance status, if relevant
Website Westside Gastroenterology
Referring to Patrick Cooper
Patrick Cooper
Psychologist
Refer to our psychologist when bowel, pelvic floor or cancer-related concerns are affecting a patient’s mental health, confidence or quality of life.
This may include:
- Anxiety related to faecal incontinence
- Avoidance of work, travel or social activities due to bowel symptoms
- Adjustment after a colorectal cancer diagnosis
- Distress around surgery, stoma formation or body image
- Chronic bowel symptoms affecting mood or daily function
- Pelvic floor symptoms with significant emotional impact
- Health anxiety related to bowel symptoms or cancer risk
Psychology support can sit alongside surgical or gastroenterology care. It may be especially helpful when symptoms are chronic, complex or affecting the patient’s day-to-day life.
What to include in the referral?
Please include:
- Main reason for referral
- Relevant diagnosis or symptom concern
- How symptoms are affecting daily life, work, relationships, travel or social activities
- Current psychological concerns, such as anxiety, low mood, avoidance, distress or adjustment difficulty
- Relevant colorectal, gastroenterology or cancer history
- Current treatments or planned procedures
- Current mental health care, including GP mental health treatment plan if in place
- Current medications, including antidepressants, anxiolytics or pain medications
- Relevant psychosocial background, including major stressors or support needs
- Risk concerns, if any
- Patient goals for psychological support
Urgent GP referral colorectal surgery
Urgent referrals
Urgent GP referral may be appropriate for patients with:
- Suspected colorectal cancer
- Positive bowel cancer screening test with concerning symptoms
- Persistent rectal bleeding with anaemia or weight loss
- Iron deficiency anaemia without a clear cause
- New or persistent change in bowel habit
- Obstructive symptoms
- Severe anorectal pain, suspected abscess or sepsis
- Known colorectal cancer requiring surgical opinion
For urgent referrals, please send the referral and phone our rooms so we can prioritise triage.
“If a referral is clinically urgent, please mark this clearly and include the relevant results so we can triage it appropriately. If you are unsure which pathway is suitable, please contact our rooms and we can help clarify the next step.”
Colorectal Surgery GP Referral
Frequently asked questions
Who should I address a colorectal surgery, gastroenterology or psychology referral to?
Please address the referral to the practitioner you feel is most appropriate. If you are unsure, send the referral to South West Colorectal Surgery and we can help direct it.
Can I refer directly for colonoscopy assessment in Bunbury?
Yes. Please include the indication, relevant history, medications and previous endoscopy reports.
Can public patients see Dr Xavier Harvey for colorectal surgery?
Some public patients may be able to see Dr Harvey, but access to publicly funded surgery is limited and requires approval through the local public hospital pathway. Approval is assessed case by case.
What should I do if I suspect colorectal cancer?
Please mark the referral as urgent and include relevant pathology, imaging, colonoscopy and histology results where available. If you are unsure which pathway is suitable, please contact our rooms and we can help clarify the next step.
Can a patient have shared care between colorectal surgery, gastroenterology and psychology?
Yes. Some patients may need shared care, for example gastroenterology input with surgical review, or psychological support alongside bowel, pelvic floor or cancer treatment.
When should I refer to the gastroenterologist rather than colorectal surgery?
Gastroenterology referral may be more appropriate for patients who need medical assessment or ongoing management of bowel symptoms, IBD, iron deficiency anaemia, chronic diarrhoea, abdominal pain or endoscopy planning. Colorectal surgery referral may be more appropriate when there is suspected cancer, anorectal disease, prolapse, incontinence, obstructive symptoms or a likely need for surgical opinion.
When should I refer to the psychologist for bowel or pelvic floor concerns?
Psychology referral may be helpful when bowel, pelvic floor or cancer-related symptoms are affecting a patient’s mood, confidence, relationships, work, travel or social life. This may include anxiety around faecal incontinence, adjustment after cancer diagnosis, distress around surgery, or chronic symptoms affecting quality of life.
South West Colorectal Surgery
Get in touch
Have questions or are you ready to schedule your appointment? Contacting us is easy:
Give us a call: Reach out to our friendly team at (08) 9742 1876 to discuss your needs, ask any questions, or book an appointment.
Visiting us? Our map shows where you can find us in Bunbury and Busselton.
16 Edward Street
Bunbury WA 6230
20 Prince Street
Busselton WA 6280