Assessing lower-GI symptoms in primary care
This educational resource introduces you to the national Primary Care Diagnostic Pathway for Lower Gastrointestinal symptoms. The pathway was developed to improve recognition, assessment and referral of patients presenting with lower GI symptoms in primary care.
By the end of this education, you should be able to:
- Explain the purpose, structure and clinical rationale of the pathway
- Identify patients presenting with lower-GI symptoms who are appropriate for management within the pathway
- Recognise red-flag features and clinical situations that require urgent escalation or direct referral
- Select and interpret appropriate first-line investigations, including faecal calprotectin
- Apply the pathway to real‑world clinical scenarios
- Use the pathway to structure clear, patient‑centred conversations
- Demonstrate appropriate safety‑netting when managing patients with ongoing or evolving lower-GI symptoms
Finished the education and want to let us know what you think?
Helpline Service
Temporary closure - 10/06/2026
Our Helpline will be closed for the remainder of this week and will reopen at 10am on Monday 15 June.
We may be closed but we have lots of information here on our website.
If you need urgent medical advice you can call NHS 111 or in Northern Ireland phone your local Phone First. In an emergency call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.
If you need emotional support the Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 116 123.
We know it can be difficult to live with, or support someone living with Crohn’s or Colitis. But we’re with you. We can give you the right information and support at the right time.
We’re here for everyone.
How Can We Help?
- We can help you understand Crohn’s and Colitis
- Listen and talk about living with IBD
- Help you connect with others in the Crohn’s and Colitis community
- Give you contact details of specialist organisations
- We can support you to live well with Crohn’s or Colitis and provide up-to-date, evidence-based information
Please be aware we’re not medically or legally trained. We cannot provide detailed financial or benefits advice or specialist emotional support.
Please contact us via telephone, email or LiveChat - 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday (except English bank holidays).
If you need specific medical advice about your condition, your GP or IBD team will be best placed to help.
Access the course with certificate download - NHS Hub login required