As the SNP Government continues to adopt innovative approaches to improve the experience and outcomes of cancer patients, NHS Ayrshire & Arran is at the forefront, piloting one of Scotland’s three Early Cancer Diagnostic Centres.
Opened in June 2021 at University Hospital Ayr, patients presenting non-specific symptoms of cancer can be urgently referred and receive results within 21 days.
These symptoms include weight loss, fatigue and nausea.
Depending on the test results, patients are then referred onward to an appropriate specialist team, a site-specific cancer pathway, or discharged back to their GP Practice.
Health boards participating in the pilot - Ayrshire & Arran, NHS Fife, and NHS Dumfries & Galloway - saw 962 patients in the four months up to October 2022.
n average, those referred had a cancer diagnosis confirmed or ruled out within 14 days, offering peace of mind.
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To date, 54.1 per cent of patients tested had no significant health problems, whilst 33.8 per cent received a diagnosis of non-cancerous health issues and were referred to another service and 12.1 per cent received an early diagnosis of cancer. This early diagnosis greatly increased their chances of successful treatment and survival.
These fast-tracked appointments, suitable for patients who don’t meet Scottish referral guidelines for suspected cancer, provide an alternative route for GPs to refer patients. They also reduce the number of hospital visits patients may otherwise require and repeat diagnostic testing.
This marks a radical change to patient experience, building on the SNP Government’s £43 million Detect Cancer Early Programme, which aims to increase the proportion of bowel, breast and lung cancers detected at Stage One. Beginning life-saving treatment as soon as possible reduces patient stress. To further alleviate anxieties, all patients are assigned a ‘navigator’ to support them through the experience and answer any questions or concerns they or their family may have.
Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support provide the navigators, alongside education and training opportunities to ensure the service is person-centred and meets patient demand whilst resources committed, and patient surveys ensure quality support is provided.
The SNP Government provided each health board with additional funding to recruit and develop multidisciplinary teams, including Advanced Nurse Practitioners to support the service and ensure that on-hand specialists can examine all test results swiftly.
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Following the success of the pilots, with high satisfaction ratings reported from 96 per cent of patients, The SNP Government announced a further two Early Cancer Diagnostic Centres will soon open in NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Borders.
Humza Yousaf MSP, cabinet secretary for health and social care, announced that a new public awareness campaign highlighting the importance of detecting cancer early, will be launched this spring.
Scottish Ministers are in dialogue with several charities to source case studies to support the campaign, helping to raise the awareness of cancer’s signs and symptoms.
If you are concerned about any symptoms currently being experienced, please arrange an appointment with your GP as soon as possible.
Despite the high demand GP surgeries face, it’s essential to address symptoms and ensure cancer is caught quickly.
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