Research into Forth Valley cancer pathway

New research by the University of Stirling has found a cancer screening pathway can prevent treatment delays across the Forth Valley.

It looked at a pilot project - where patients were referred directly to a breast assessment clinic, without the need for a GP appointment.

The study found it eased pressure on GPs, and reduced costs.

Dr Erica Gadsby is from the University:

“The evaluation showed that the new pathway successfully removed an unnecessary step in the referral process for eligible patients, offering a safe, efficient, and cost-effective alternative to the traditional model.
“Clinical outcomes remained consistent with previous standards, while patient feedback highlighted strong support for the pathway, particularly its speed, convenience and clarity.
“The findings suggest that this approach not only benefits patients but also has the potential to ease pressure on general practice, which is especially important in areas where accessing timely GP appointments can be difficult.
“Working alongside frontline staff, we identified key lessons for implementing this pathway in other areas. Clear communication, local leadership and investment in staff training were all critical to the pathway’s success in Forth Valley.”

The evaluation was co-led by Honorary Professor Juliette Murray, Consultant Breast Surgeon at NHS Forth Valley, who said: “We already ran one-stop breast assessment clinics that allow people referred by their GP to get a range of breast cancer diagnostics during a single visit, often providing reassurance that it’s not cancer.
“Enabling patients who discover a breast lump to access these clinics without attending an initial GP appointment has further streamlined the pathway, supporting rapid assessment and timely care.
“The improved pathway has now been successfully implemented across all GP practices in the Forth Valley area, demonstrating its effectiveness at our local level. It has freed up GP appointments and removed a step in the process of getting patients the tests they need as quickly as possible.
“This approach clearly benefits patients, GPs and the wider healthcare system. Our evaluation has identified valuable lessons for other health boards considering the adoption of a similar pathway.”