For GPs and referrers

Who to refer

• Men with bothersome LUTS not controlled by alpha blockers and/or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.
• Men in acute or chronic urinary retention (catheter-dependent or failed trial of void).
• Men with recurrent urinary tract infection attributable to chronic retention or bladder calculi.
• Men on aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin or a direct oral anticoagulant who have been told TURP is not feasible.
• Men with very large prostates (over roughly 80 cc) who have been offered open simple (Millin) prostatectomy and would prefer an endoscopic option.
• Men who have had a prior TURP, bladder-neck incision or laser procedure with recurrent obstruction.

What to include in the referral

• IPSS symptom score and quality-of-life score if available.
• Uroflowmetry and post-void residual.
• Recent PSA and urine culture.
• Prostate ultrasound or MRI report and images.
• List of BPH medications tried, duration and response.
• Full anticoagulant / antiplatelet list with indication.
• Cardiac and respiratory comorbidities relevant to anaesthesia.

How to reach the rooms

• Phone 02 8382 6980 (business hours).
• Fax 02 8382 6991.
• Email Raji.Kooner@svha.org.au - use "GP referral" in the subject.
• Consulting locations: St Vincent's Darlinghurst, Mater North Sydney and Bowral.

Urgent review

For patients in acute retention, haematuria with clot retention or suspected post-obstructive renal impairment, please phone the rooms directly rather than emailing. After hours, refer through the emergency department at St Vincent's Private, St Vincent's Public or Mater North Sydney as appropriate.

About the laser options

Plain-English summaries of the four laser techniques offered - HoLEP, GreenLight, HoLBNI and thulium - are on the laser options page. Non-laser procedures (TURP, UroLift, Rezum, iTind, aquablation, open prostatectomy) are summarised on the alternatives hub.