GP referrals for Sunshine Coast colonoscopy
A practical guide for Sunshine Coast GPs: how to refer to Dr Goutham for colonoscopy at Sunshine Coast Day Surgery, what to include, and how reports come back to you. Lists start on 18 January 2027.
NOW BOOKING · SUNSHINE COAST DAY SURGERY · MAROOCHYDORE
How to refer a Sunshine Coast patient
Use the secure online referral form and note Sunshine Coast / Sunshine Coast Day Surgery as the preferred venue. Referrals can also be sent through Medical Objects or your practice software, or faxed to (07) 3733 1552.
Sunshine Coast lists start on 18 January 2027. Referrals are clinically reviewed, and our team contacts the patient to arrange a date. Patients who need to be seen urgently can be seen sooner at our Brisbane locations; call the practice to discuss.
Dr Goutham Sivasuthan is a Specialist Endoscopic Surgeon. At Sunshine Coast Day Surgery he will perform colonoscopy, including polypectomy, and every procedure is performed personally by him. Fees for this venue are confirmed in writing, and every patient receives a written estimate before deciding.
What to include with the referral
Reason for colonoscopy
State the indication, symptom duration, relevant examination, degree of concern and the clinical question.
Results and history
Attach FIT or FOBT results, relevant blood tests, prior endoscopy and histology, and pertinent imaging or specialist records.
Clinical risks
Include comorbidities, allergies, anticoagulants or antiplatelet medicines, diabetes treatment, weight-management medicines, pregnancy possibility and anaesthetic concerns.
Screening and surveillance
For a positive FIT, include the report and result date; these patients are booked as diagnostic procedures and prioritised. If Sunshine Coast lists are not yet open, we discuss an earlier date at a Brisbane location with the patient. For surveillance, attach the previous colonoscopy and histology report where available.
Intervals depend on preparation quality, completeness of the earlier procedure, lesion number and type, family history and later clinical events. See our bowel polyps and surveillance information.
What happens after the referral arrives
Receipt does not mean the patient has been accepted for a procedure. Each referral is clinically reviewed first.
Acknowledgement
Our team checks that the relevant clinical details are included and asks you for anything missing.
Clinical triage
Dr Goutham reviews the indication, urgency, history, medicines and available records.
Appropriate next step
The patient proceeds to a procedure date, or needs a consultation, another test, medical optimisation or a different specialist.
Patient and referrer
We contact the patient directly to arrange the plan and a date, and tell you if the patient is unsuitable or needs another pathway.
A separate consultation is not always required
Many patients can proceed straight to the procedure after referral review. This depends on the indication, the quality of the records, medical conditions, medicines, anaesthetic suitability and facility requirements.
Where more assessment is needed, the next step may be a consultation, medical optimisation, another investigation or referral elsewhere.
How results come back to you
- The procedure report is sent to you after the procedure.
- Dr Goutham reviews all pathology, and the result and recommendation are sent to you.
- We follow up with the patient to discuss the findings and coordinate any further management.
- Surveillance recommendations are stated in the report so the interval is clear to both you and the patient.
Clinically important results are escalated to you directly rather than left to routine correspondence. Include your current contact details with the referral.
GP questions
When do Sunshine Coast lists start?
Sunshine Coast lists start on 18 January 2027. Send the referral now: it is reviewed, and we contact the patient to arrange a date, or offer an earlier date at a Brisbane location if that is clinically needed.
Can I refer after a positive FIT?
Yes. Include the FIT report, relevant history, medicines, comorbidities and recent blood results where available. Positive-FIT patients are prioritised, and we discuss a Brisbane date with the patient if Sunshine Coast lists are not yet open.
Does every patient need a consultation first?
No. Dr Goutham decides whether a patient can proceed after reviewing the referral, risks and available records.
Can I refer for gastroscopy?
Lists at Sunshine Coast Day Surgery are for colonoscopy, including polypectomy. Gastroscopy is offered at other Colonoscopy Brisbane locations. Include the upper-GI indication in the referral and we will discuss the venue with the patient.
Who follows up pathology?
Dr Goutham. Colonoscopy Brisbane contacts the patient and sends the result and recommendation to you.
Refer a Sunshine Coast patient
Use the secure online form and note Sunshine Coast Day Surgery as the preferred venue. Referrals are reviewed and the patient is contacted to arrange a date. For urgent but stable patients, call the practice so the patient can be seen sooner at a Brisbane location.
A referral does not book a date. We confirm suitability and a written estimate with the patient first.
Last medically reviewed by Dr Goutham Sivasuthan, Specialist Endoscopic Surgeon — October 2026