Self-referral service for breast cancer patients launches in Cambridgeshire
The new service aims to cut down on waiting times for treatment
Breast cancer patients in Cambridgeshire can now be seen quicker thanks to a new self-referral service.
The new service at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) and North West Anglia Foundation Trust (NWAFT) aims to speed up excluding or confirming a cancer diagnosis for patients.
Doctors also hope this can reduce pressure on primary care services by freeing up multiple GP appointments.
"We get to see patients sooner so they can be reassured or diagnosed sooner and by not having to have that GP referral, we will free up those GP appointments in the region so they can be used for other things," Dr James Tanner, consultant radiologist at CUH, said.
"Our hypothesis is we're seeing these patients already because they are going to their GP and then coming to see us."
How does it work?
The service is available on NHS 111 online or the NHS app.
Patients complete an online symptom assessment via the NHS 111 website, and those who meet the eligibility criteria are offered direct self-referral to the specialist breast service at Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge, Peterborough City or Hinchingbrooke Hospitals.
Those who do not meet the criteria are provided with advice and signposted to alternative services that can help with their symptoms.
Dr Tanner said women from Cambridgeshire aged 30 or over and not pregnant can self-refer using the service, while those who fall outside this criteria are advised to still see a GP first.
"It's only a small proportion of patients who end up with a cancer diagnosis, so the hope is that by speeding up that process, the anxiety in waiting for an answer is reduced because we can see people sooner," he added.
“The self-referral service enables us to either rule out cancer for the vast majority of patients or provide an earlier diagnosis which gives the best possibility of successful treatment.”
CUH worked with colleagues from NWAFT and NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board to coordinate setting up the pilot across region.
Better patient experience
CUH say around 400 patients a week are referred to specialist breast services at these hospitals via their GP.
Five per cent of patients on average who are referred are diagnosed with breast cancer.
The new model of care is in line with the Government’s National Cancer Plan which focuses on earlier diagnosis and treatment.
"It is really important that we enable quick and easy access for anyone who has concerns about breast cancer symptoms," Jamie Hanlon, cancer operations manager at NWAFT, said.
"Streamlining care will improve patient experience all round which is something we continue to strive to do across our services.”