Optimal cancer diagnostic pathways
Scotland’s Cancer Strategy (2023-2033) includes a commitment to enhance diagnostics by publishing, and delivering, national optimal cancer diagnostic pathways, including Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services (RCDS).
Implementing best practice timed pathways supports the ongoing improvement effort to shorten pathways, reduce variation, improve patient experience of care, and meet existing cancer waiting times standards. Overseen by the Centre for Sustainable Delivery's (CfSD) Cancer Improvement and Earlier Diagnosis Team, this clinically-led process involves engagement with and input from specialist teams across NHS Scotland.
The pathways outlined below give cancer service providers in NHS Scotland a gold standard skeleton model to deliver effective and efficient diagnostic pathways, setting ambitious timeframes for each step.
The establishment of RCDSs specifically provides primary care with a new fast-track referral pathway for patients with non-specific symptoms suspicious of cancer (such as fatigue, nausea and weight loss). Independent evaluation of RCDSs has shown that “the model delivers a quality service at speed, is cost effective and highly valued by patients and staff”.
