My Advice
At Airedale NHS Foundation Trust we offer all suspected cancer patients an appointment within two weeks of their GP referral.Once you receive your referral you will be invited to the hospital to a one stop rapid diagnostic clinic. This clinic provides a range of investigations which you will have at the time of the appointment if appropriate; the consultant who sees you will assess and discuss your needs.Explaining the role of the Rapid Diagnostic Centre (RDC)Referrals are made through GP assist within the 2WW cancer pathway section .
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There are pre referral blood tests and a CXR which are necessary in order for the patient to have the most effective triage once they have been received into the RDC. Details of which tests are required are on GP assist.Some patients are triaged by phone using a holistic assessment model and then discussed in a weekly MDT where a selection of clinical expertise is available to help decide on the best investigations and management plan . If a patient is more complex and would benefit from a face to face assessment they are invited to attend Ilkley moor medical practice and are assessed by Dr Rolfe GP and Leo Anson , the RDC CNS .After input form the MDT various tests may be required before the team have reached a diagnosis or have ruled out any serious illness . the patient is then contacted by the CNS and the outcome of the discussions are summarised and sent to the referring GP and patient.Referral CriteriaUnexplained Weight Loss, Recurrent Unexplained Abdominal Pain, GP Intuition (Gut Feeling), Patient Deteriorating Rapidly & too Unwell to await for a 2 W/W Referral but not requiring acute admission, The aims of the service is a rapid diagnostic service that produces a clear outcome for the patient and stops the need for the patient to be referred anywhere else.
Screening choices
At Airedale NHS Foundation Trust we offer all suspected cancer patients an appointment within two weeks of their GP referral.Scans (see link to Radiology). Screening helps find some cancers early so that they can be treated as soon as possible. It can also find changes in some cells before they become cancerous. We can provide MRI scans, CT scans and PET scans. These are important as they provide information about abnormalities inside the body that are not otherwise seen.
- Scans / Radiology. We can provide MRI scans, CT scans and PET scans. These are important as they provide information about abnormalities inside the body that are not otherwise seen
- Endoscopy is a procedure that uses a long, thin, flexible, lighted tube called an endoscope to diagnose a condition within the gastrointestinal tract.
Before your visit
Information for you to consider
It can take a few days to a few weeks for test results to be ready. Many people feel anxious during this time.
You may feel like you have no control over what is going to happen to you. The waiting period might feel very long and the future may feel very uncertain.
There is no right or wrong way to deal with these feelings. Some people find it helps to carry on with normal activities as much as possible. Continuing with everyday activities, such as going to work, can be a welcome distraction from worrying. Other people may feel they cannot concentrate on anything else.
Some people look for more information about cancer during this time. Searching for information can help you feel more in control while you wait for your results. However, if you are not sure of the diagnosis, some information can be confusing and upsetting.
It may be better to wait until a diagnosis is made before looking for more information. If you do decide to find out more, it is a good idea to make sure the information is from a reliable source.
You may find it helpful to talk with your partner, family or a close friend. Your specialist nurse can also provide support.
We recommend support from cancer support specialists at Macmillan Cancer Support and they can be contacted on 0808 808 00 00.
