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RACS ASC 2026
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Endoscopy access in regional Australia: service delivery by a visiting consultant surgeon model
Poster

Poster

Disciplines

General Surgery

Presentation Description

Institution: Independent Consultant General Surgeon - NSW, Australia

Purpose Limited access to gastrointestinal endoscopy contributes to diagnostic delay and healthcare inequity in regional Australia. This study evaluates endoscopy service delivery by a visiting consultant surgeon model across regional hospitals. Methodology Endoscopic activity was analysed from a prospectively maintained consultant logbook documenting procedures performed between March and December 2025 across regional hospitals in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Outcomes included procedure volume, elective versus emergency setting and indication. Results More than 200 endoscopic procedures were performed, including colonoscopy, gastroscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy. The majority of elective endoscopy was delivered at a site with recurrent locum engagement, while emergency endoscopy for gastrointestinal bleeding and food bolus obstruction was required across multiple hospitals. Therapeutic interventions included haemorrhoid banding and endoscopic management of acute pathology. Conclusion A visiting consultant surgeon model can deliver substantial endoscopy services in regional hospitals, supporting both elective and emergency care. Structured continuity of visiting services may reduce disparities in access to diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy outside metropolitan centres.
Presenters
Authors
Authors

Dr Syed Ali Abbas Rizvi -