Millions of cancer patients will get a faster diagnosis from new technology being rolled out across the NHS, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has said.
The tool, called Cancer 360, gathers cancer patients’ data into one central system, so clinicians can prioritise those most in need and see patients quicker, it said.
Cancer 360 moves existing analogue systems to a digital system, so staff will not have to gather important information about each cancer patient from different spreadsheets, emails, and records.
Dr Vin Diwakar, NHS national clinical transformation director, said: “Every cancer patient deserves swift, effective care, and our new Cancer 360 solution harnesses data to ensure exactly that. By giving clinicians a comprehensive view of patient pathways, we can identify and address delays immediately.
“As Cancer 360 expands to more hospitals nationwide, I’m confident we’ll see meaningful improvements in both treatment times and patient experience.”
It is understood that trusts will not have to use the tool, but those not meeting the cancer standard – including that 85 per cent of cancer patients should have started their treatment within 62 days of being referred – may be asked to consider how Cancer 360 could help them meet targets.
As well as helping patients get a faster diagnosis, the DHSC said Cancer 360 will also help cut treatment delays and thus boost survival rates.
The technology has been piloted at Royal United Hospital Bath, and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
It helped Chelsea and Westminster Hospital meet the faster diagnosis standard, whereby 75 per cent of patients should receive a diagnosis or cancer is ruled out within 28 days of referral.
Suraiya Abdi, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Chelsea and Westminster Foundation Trust, said: “(Cancer 360) enables us to have in-depth conversations at our weekly meetings regarding a patient’s next step as well as allowing us to escalate queries directly to other teams for faster turnaround.
“The tool has reduced the amount of admin time spent by our cancer team… I have witnessed an improvement in performance, team spirit and most importantly patient experience.”
The DHSC said Cancer 360, to be rolled out soon, will benefit millions of patients in the next five to 10 years.
With PA