THE HEMATURIA CLINIC - REFERRAL PATTERNS IN NORTHERN-IRELAND

One hundred consecutive patients with haematuria were seen over a thre e month period at the haematuria clinic, Belfast City Hospital. 14% of patients were found to have transitional cell carcinoma of the urinar y bladder; all of these presented with frank haematuria and were over 50 years of age. No malignancy was detected in the microscopic haematu ria group. 14% of patients with macroscopic haematuria held back for l onger than one month before seeking advice from their general practiti oner. 23% with macroscopic and 30% with microscopic haematuria had the ir symptoms noted by the general practitioner for more than a month be fore they were referred for investigation. The waiting time for initia l investigation at the haematuria clinic took longer than six weeks in 52% with macroscopic and 39% with microscopic haematuria. Our study h as identified a high-risk group who need immediate referral and invest igation. The importance of patient education, rapid referral by genera l practitioners and also the need to increase the capacity of the haem aturia clinic are emphasized.