Objective To assess the feasibility of a clinic for the investigation
of haematuria, with open access to general practitioners. Patients and
methods A total of 395 patients (198 men and 197 women), with mean ag
e 51 years (range 19-73), were referred from 13 general practitioner c
linics. All investigations were performed at the patient's first visit
at which time either a provisional or a definitive diagnosis was made
. Results Urinary tract infection was the most common diagnosis. Of al
l the patients, 43 (11%) had a malignancy of whom nine presented with
microscopic haematuria. Fifty-nine per cent of patients were discharge
d after their first visit and 26% were placed on the waiting list for
in-patient procedures. Conclusion An open access clinic such as this i
s efficient and easily run. The high incidence of pathological abnorma
lities makes it a worthwhile facility.