For Referring Clinicians
Refer Patients for Specialist HPB Surgical Assessment
Recognise when liver, pancreas, bile duct, or gallbladder conditions need specialist review, and share the clinical details that support timely triage.
When Specialist HPB Assessment Can Help
The HPB surgery referral pathway helps patients with suspected or confirmed hepatobiliary and pancreatic conditions reach the appropriate specialist assessment. Consider referral when imaging, laboratory results, or persistent symptoms suggest a lesion, obstruction, or complex disease affecting the liver, pancreas, bile ducts, or gallbladder. Patients may benefit from review to clarify the diagnosis, assess whether surgery or another intervention is appropriate, and coordinate care with other specialists. Include relevant history, examination findings, imaging reports, laboratory results, and details of any treatment already provided so the team can assess urgency.
Indications for HPB Surgery Referral
Suspected or Confirmed Tumours
Refer patients with a pancreatic mass or a suspected liver, bile duct, or gallbladder tumour for specialist assessment and treatment planning.
Biliary Obstruction or Jaundice
New or persistent jaundice, a suspected bile duct stricture, or obstructive findings on imaging warrant prompt review, particularly with fever or worsening symptoms.
Complex Gallbladder and Pancreatic Disease
Consider referral for recurrent pancreatitis, pancreatic cysts with concerning features, or complicated gallstone disease that may require specialist management.
Liver Lesions and Surgical Questions
Refer indeterminate or potentially resectable liver lesions, or cases where imaging raises questions about operability, further investigation, or coordinated care.
Details to Include With Your Referral
- Patient name, age, contact details and location
- Referring clinician’s name, facility and direct contact number
- Reason for referral and specific clinical question
- Presenting symptoms, duration and progression
- Relevant examination findings and vital signs
- Comorbidities, current medicines and allergies
- Full blood count and inflammatory markers, if available
- Liver function tests, including bilirubin and albumin
- Renal function and electrolytes
- Coagulation profile, including INR
- Relevant tumour markers, where indicated
- Dates and trends for abnormal results
- Ultrasound report and images, if available
- CT or MRI reports and accessible images
- Endoscopy, ERCP or EUS findings, where relevant
- Histology or cytology reports, if obtained
- Previous procedures and treatment records
- Current clinical status and reason for any urgency
Step 1
Prepare the Referral
Summarise the clinical concern and attach the available investigations, imaging reports and relevant treatment history.
Step 2
Send It Securely
Submit the referral through your established clinical referral channel and include a direct number for follow-up.
Step 3
HPB Team Review
The HPB team reviews the information, assesses priority and may request missing results or imaging before advising on next steps.
Step 4
Receive a Plan
The referring clinician is informed of the recommended appointment, further investigations or alternative care pathway.
Time-sensitive concerns need direct communication
Call About Urgent Cases; Send Emergencies for Immediate Assessment
Before Your Appointment
Get Ready for Your HPB Consultation
1
Gather Your Medical Records
Bring your referral letter, scan reports and images, laboratory results, and relevant hospital notes so the team can review your history.
2
Review Medicines and Symptoms
Make a list of your current medicines, doses, allergies, and symptoms, including when they started and how they have changed.
3
Write Down Your Questions
Note what you would like to ask about your diagnosis, possible next steps, and recovery. A family member or caregiver may attend for support.
Referral Questions, Answered
Find practical guidance on who can be referred, what to send, and what happens after the HPB surgery service receives your referral.
Who can be referred to the HPB surgery service?
Patients who may need specialist assessment for liver, pancreas, gallbladder, or bile duct conditions can be referred by a clinician. The team reviews each referral to determine the appropriate next step.
Can a patient contact the service before a referral is sent?
Yes. Patients can ask for guidance on the referral process, but a clinician’s referral and relevant medical information may be needed to arrange a consultation.
What documents should accompany a referral?
Please include a referral letter, contact details, relevant clinical notes, blood test results, and available scan reports and images. Sending complete records helps the team assess the request.
How soon will I hear back after a referral?
Response times depend on the information provided and the urgency of the case. Contact the service if you have not received an update or if your condition changes while you wait.
What if some test results are not available yet?
Send the information currently available and indicate which results are pending. The team can advise whether additional records are needed before the consultation.
How do I follow up on an existing referral?
Contact the service with the patient’s name, the referring clinician’s details, and the date the referral was sent so the team can help check its progress.
Need Help With a Referral?
Phone
Referring clinicians and patients can contact the HPB Surgery Ghana service for guidance on preparing a referral or checking its progress. Request the current telephone number from your referring clinic.
Address
Confirm the consultation location and directions with the service before travelling.