When should I consider referring a patient with acute pancreatitis to secondary care?

Guideline-aligned answer with reasoning, red flags and references. Clinically reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP.

Posted: 16 August 2025Updated: 16 August 2025 Guideline-Aligned (High Confidence) Clinically Reviewed
Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX

Refer a patient with suspected acute pancreatitis urgently for emergency hospital admission for specialist assessment and management .

Seek advice from a specialist pancreatic centre and discuss whether to transfer the patient if they develop necrotic, infective, haemorrhagic, or systemic complications of acute pancreatitis .

Arrange urgent hospital admission if a person presents with suspected acute pancreatitis .

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