Table 4. Referrals and further investigations following GPs consultation.

Referrals	n	%	Further investigations	n	%
Referred to colorectal surgeons	33	28	Colorectal surgery referral only	28	24
			Full blood count, then colorectal surgery referral	3	3
			Full blood count and faecal occult blood test, then colorectal surgery referral	2	2
Referred to gastroenterology or haematology	9	8	Gastroenterology	7	6
			Gastroenterology and haematology	1	1
			Haematology	1	1
Not referred: further investigations in primary care	31	27	Faecal occult blood test only	12	10
			Full blood count	11	9
			Full blood count and faecal occult blood test	7	6
			Full blood count and faecal occult blood test–follow-up declined by patient	1	1
Not referred: no specific investigations	43	37	Keep under review	3	3
			None–not applicablea	31	27
			Follow-up declined by patient	9	8
Total	116	100		116	100

Abbreviation: GPs=general practitioners.

^aIncludes one case in which the decision was taken after discussion with a colorectal surgeon and one case that had already been referred for upper, rather than lower, gastrointestinal tract investigation