Inclusion and exclusion criteria
| Inclusion criteria | Exclusion criteria |
| Over 16 years old | Declined to participate |
| Could provide written consent | Had a previous, new or suspected diagnosis of malignancy |
| Comprised one offour categories based on reason for admission | On-going issues requiring follow up such as wound healing problems |
| Category 1 – minorsurgery | Required further investigation such as endoscopy after admission with e.g.diverticulitis. |
| Category 2 - elective or emergency surgery such as appendicectomy, hernia repair, thyroidectomy | |
| Category 3 - admitted for investigation or management of conditions such as non-specific abdominalpain, head injury, cellulitis | |
| Category 4 - attended for surveillance endoscopy for conditions such as colonic polyps or Barrett’s oesophagus |