In what scenarios should I consider urgent referral for a patient with dyspepsia or gastrointestinal bleeding?

Refer immediately (on the same day) to a specialist for patients presenting with dyspepsia together with significant acute gastrointestinal bleeding ¹.

Consider a very urgent full blood count within 48 hours for unexplained bleeding, bruising, or petechiae, which may indicate serious underlying conditions such as leukaemia ¹.

Refer using a suspected cancer pathway referral for dyspepsia with weight loss in patients aged 55 and over, or with symptoms such as dysphagia, or reflux with weight loss ¹.

Refer using a suspected cancer pathway referral for unexplained anal mass or ulceration, rectal mass, or if there are symptoms suggestive of oesophageal or stomach cancer, such as persistent or significant symptoms ¹.

Consider urgent investigations such as a CT scan within 2 weeks for patients with nausea or vomiting with weight loss in those aged 60 and over, or with upper abdominal pain and weight loss in those aged 55 and over ¹.