Effective Cancer Management: framework
The framework for effective Cancer management is a guidance tool for Cancer Teams across NHS Scotland to improve and sustain performance of the National Cancer Standards. This version of the Framework now incorporates 10 elements to consider when planning and delivering cancer services.
6. Initiating the Pathway
It is good practice to ensure that all USC referrals are triaged promptly and appointed for a consultation and/or investigation to take place within 14 days of receipt of referral. This will ensure the patient is directed to the right pathway as soon as possible.
6.1 All cancer pathways should develop and adopt Active Clinical Referral Triage (ACRT) standards, ensuring that all referrals to secondary care are triaged by a senior clinical decision maker within 48 hours.
6.2 The primary care clinician who has made the USC referral must be informed promptly if it has been regraded and given the reason for the regrading. Referrals should only be regraded if not consistent with the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer. The referrer should be given the opportunity to provide further information to support the original priority of the referral.
6.3 The patient should be informed of any regrading of their referral. The patient should have a clear understanding of their onward care pathway, even if it is not within cancer services.
Contact
Email: cfsdcancerandedteam@nhs.scot