World Cancer Day – Health Minister praises the expansion of Rapid Diagnosis Centres

Date printed:
4 February 2025

The RDCs positioned in South Tyrone Hospital and Whiteabbey Hospital work in partnership with GPs who can refer sufferers to Imprecise Symptom Pathway (VSP) fast-track clinics on the centres for early most cancers detection.   

Launched as a part of a pioneering pilot initiative in 2022, the 2 regional RDCs goal to deal with gaps within the conventional referral course of. Sufferers with obscure however worrying signs may not meet the standards for a purple flag referral however providing streamlined diagnostic companies, the RDCs are making certain that people who would possibly in any other case face delays obtain faster entry to investigations and remedy.

On a go to to the RDC at South Tyrone Hospital, Minister Nesbitt marked the progress made:

“On World Most cancers Day I reaffirm my dedication to early most cancers detection and well timed remedy. The success of the RDC initiative is testomony to everybody concerned within the transition from a pilot challenge to regional hubs. Our compassionate and extremely skilled groups are taking part in a key function in higher outcomes for sufferers by addressing diagnostic capability challenges, advancing innovation, and making certain equitable entry to high-quality care.”

“This progressive service is making certain earlier diagnoses, sooner entry to care, and decreased anxiousness for people and their households.  The event and growth of the RDCs right here and in Whiteabbey Hospital mirror the facility of collaboration and ambition to make an actual distinction.

“Work can also be at the moment underway to develop new pathways that may profit from an RDC strategy.”

Since launch in 2022 over 1,000 outpatients have attended an RDC, with 38 instances of most cancers being confirmed up to now. This determine is prone to enhance when present purple flag instances obtain a pathologic analysis. Along with the most cancers instances detected, a major proportion of outpatients have obtained a analysis of different critical however non-cancer diseases. Though the service stays in its early stage of growth, knowledge reveals comparable outcomes to different established RDCs throughout the UK.

Between 2022 and 2024, 14% of Northern Eire RDC referrals led to purple flag pathways with a radiological indication of most cancers.

Cathrine Reid, Director of Surgical procedure and Scientific Companies, commented:

“The RDC and Imprecise Symptom Pathway represents an important innovation in healthcare. Sufferers with regarding signs are actually being given the well timed consideration they want from the service and that is reassuring for the affected person. We’ve got been overwhelmed by the optimistic suggestions from sufferers who’ve attended the RDC.

“This service integrates multidisciplinary groups, superior diagnostic instruments, and patient-centred care pathways. We are actually reaching much more individuals, bettering the standard of care and finally saving lives.”

Sufferers referred to the RDCs obtain co-ordinated examination and investigations primarily based on their wants in a one-stop setting with speedy reporting of outcomes. With the consent of the affected person, the RDC clinician makes an onward referral to the suitable specialty for all sufferers who require additional investigation or remedy. GPs can refer sufferers into both RDC web site (South Tyrone Hospital and Whiteabbey Hospital) no matter their GP Federation space.

Throughout the go to, the Well being Minister acknowledged Northern Eire’s HSC Trusts’ Imaging Departments being the primary area within the UK to be awarded the High quality Commonplace for Imaging (QSI) accreditation.

“It is a vital achievement for the area and the onerous work and dedication of our imaging employees to high quality and security needs to be recognised and celebrated.”