Sufferers with most cancers signs might bypass their GP sooner or later and go straight for a scan, the well being secretary has advised, within the newest “radical” try by the federal government to chop enormous NHS ready lists.
The suggestion, which comes as the federal government is predicted to cut back the variety of NHS most cancers ready time targets, might type a part of proposals to “design out bottlenecks” within the NHS system, Steve Barclay stated in an interview.
Well being division officers are reportedly engaged on proposals that might imply some sufferers experiencing most cancers signs might go straight to an NHS diagnostic centre – or “one-stop shop” – with no GP referral.
“We are very much looking at those patient pathways,” Barclay advised the Every day Telegraph. “Where there are bottlenecks in the system of referral from the GP, is there scope to go direct to the relevant diagnostic test or to the clinician?
“Breast cancer is a good example because almost always the GP refers on … and therefore there’s an opportunity to design out bottlenecks in the system.”
The federal government has been consulting on measures to streamline NHS most cancers care by changing the 9 present most cancers targets with simply three and scrapping completely the present goal of all sufferers seeing a specialist inside two weeks of an pressing referral for most cancers assessments by a GP.
Newest figures present that solely 59% of sufferers in England began their first most cancers therapy inside two months of an pressing GP referral, far beneath the present 85% goal set by the federal government.
Thalie Martini, chief government of Breast Most cancers UK, stated the charity had not been consulted on the adjustments to most cancers targets. “The government does not have a handle on cancer, from prevention to diagnosis and treatment.”
She added: “Not only are the government failing those with cancer, but by not having a detailed and comprehensive cancer strategy, they are also letting down every future patient.”
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Keir Starmer has additionally responded to the revised targets accusing the federal government of “moving the goalposts” on most cancers care.
Barclay additionally stated he had commissioned former Marks & Spencer chief government Steve Rowe to have a look at how the Division of Well being and Social Care can “unlock efficiencies” to make financial savings.
