A prospective randomised controlled trial evaluating pre-clinic telephone advice for patients referred to a rectal bleed clinic

INTERVENTION: Group 1: Telephone Questionnaire + Advice. The Colorectal Nurse Practitioner contacts patients by phone and patients that are felt to have benign rectal bleeding are given telephone advice. They are contacted 6 weeks later and if still symptomatic are brought into the clinic. If patients are symptom free they decide whether they require an appointment. They receive a letter giving further advice and that they may come to the clinic if symptoms reoccur. Group 2: Routine Outpatient Attendance + Questionnaire. These patients attend clinic as planned. They fill in the questionnaire and will be examined and treated in the usual way. CONDITION: Colorectal bleeding ; Digestive System ; Other diseases of anus and rectum PRIMARY OUTCOME: Number of patients still requiring outpatient visits after telephone advice. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Not provided at time of registration INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. patients with rectal bleeding referred to colorectal specialist clinic 2. young adults ‐ under 40 years of age 3. low risk of colorectal cancer = 60