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.
7. Optimal Diagnostics
Ensuring USC patients are effectively managed through the diagnostic element of the pathway is critical if the 62-day waiting times standard is to be met. Patients often require multiple, sometimes complex and invasive tests, to determine whether they have cancer or not – this often requires input from Radiology, Endoscopy and Pathology Teams.
7.1 Ensure all requests for diagnostic tests are made promptly to meet the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) timetable.
7.2 If multiple tests (e.g. a bundle) are required, these should be requested together to prevent delays.
7.3 All diagnostic requests must be appropriate and clearly marked as USC. This enables Diagnostic Teams to prioritise their workload and ensure reports are available for the weekly MDT meetings where patients’ next steps are discussed and agreed by clinical experts.
7.4 The Cancer Management Team should actively monitor all diagnostic turnaround times, as agreed in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and timed cancer pathways, and escalate when needed.
7.5 The MDT Coordinator and/or Tracker must work closely with tumour specific Clinical Leads and Diagnostic Teams to ensure sufficient turnaround time for diagnostic reports, as required.
7.6 Diagnostic Teams should work in tandem with Cancer Management to explore where diagnostic tests can be coordinated, as opposed to being sequential. This can reduce the number of steps in a pathway and avoid patients having to travel to multiple appointments.
7.7 There should be effective communication with the patient during the diagnostic phase of the pathway. The patient should be fully informed of any delays to diagnostics and expected timescales for tests and any results.
7.8 Introducing a Single Point of Contact (SPoC) or Patient Navigator will provide valuable support to patients and their families throughout the whole pathway.
7.9 Boards with multiple diagnostic sites should hold central waiting lists for diagnostics to ensure equity to all patients.
7.10 Regional and national ways of working and improvement programmes should be developed to assist waiting times for specialist diagnostic tests.
7.11 The use of Scottish National Radiology Reporting System (SNRRS) should be considered for reporting if capacity is insufficient within the Board.
Contact
Email: cfsdcancerandedteam@nhs.scot