Special centres that are aimed at speeding up cancer diagnosis are being introduced across England.
Special centres that are aimed at speeding up cancer diagnosis are being introduced across England.
The aim is to catch the disease earlier and prevent patients from being referred for several tests for different forms of the illness.
NHS England called this is a “step change” in diagnosis. It will introduce 10 specialist rapid diagnostic and assessment centres where patients will receive all the necessary investigations under one roof.
The aim is that every patient is either diagnosed or given the all-clear within 28 days.
Cally Palmer, the National Director for Cancer at NHS England, said: “Early diagnosis is crucial to saving lives and providing peace of mind for patients, which is why we are driving forward plans to revolutionise our approach to cancer in this country.
“These new one-stop shops represent a real step change in the way people with unclear symptoms are identified, diagnosed and treated.”
The centres have been developed in collaboration with Macmillan and Cancer Research UK.
If the project is a success, more of the centres will be established across England.
The first 10 will be at: Royal Free Hospital, London; North Middlesex Hospital, London; University College Hospitals London; Southend University Hospital; Queen’s Hospital, Romford; St James’s University Hospital, Leeds; Airedale General Hospital, West Yorkshire; University Hospital, South Manchester; Royal Oldham Hospital, Greater Manchester; and Churchill Hospital, Oxford.
