Rapid Diagnosis Clinic

Approximately 55% of patients with cancer do not present with a red flag but vague/non-specific symptoms.  The Rapid Diagnosis Clinic (RDC) was set up last year to ensure swift assessment and diagnosis of patients who present with vague symptoms, including unexplained/unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, unexplained abdo or back pain, nausea, shortness of breath and/or unexpected lab test results.

If GPs are concerned about patients’ symptoms they arrange Set A bloods and a bowel FIT and refer to the RDC where they have rapid access to CT scans of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis. Around 10% of patients referred will have a diagnosis of cancer and patients are urgently referred onto the appropriate speciality as necessary for further investigation and/or treatment. The service is supporting awareness of these symptoms amongst professional in Primary Care as well as the public.