Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services
Scotland’s first Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services were established in 2021.
There are currently six Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services (RCDSs) in:
- NHS Fife
- NHS Dumfries & Galloway
- NHS Ayrshire & Arran
- NHS Lanarkshire
- NHS Borders
- NHS Forth Valley
RCDSs provide primary care with a new fast-track diagnostic pathway for patients with non-specific symptoms suspicious of cancer - such as fatigue, nausea and weight loss.
All services have embedded the seven key principles that underpin RCDSs pathways:
- Clear patient coordination and support, with each patient having an assigned ‘navigator’ throughout their diagnostic pathway alongside access to accurate resources, to inform decision-making
- Early identification of patients who meet RCDS referral criteria, with timely referral to the service and initial tests completed before assessment
- Prompt Active Clinical Referral Triage (ACRT) undertaken
- Coordinated testing based on the patient’s needs, ideally delivered in a ‘one-stop’ environment where possible, with live or rapid reporting to shorten the diagnostic pathway
- Earlier diagnosis of cancer, or other condition(s), shared appropriately with the patient and the outcome speedily communicated back to primary care along with next steps
- Appropriate onward referral for further support, treatment, or care
- Adoption of the principles of Realistic Medicine throughout.
The Cancer Improvement and Earlier Diagnosis team is working towards establishing equitable access to timely pathways for patients with non-specific symptoms.
We are also continuing to collaborate with colleagues across the UK, to ensure all learning is shared across the nations who are embedding similar models of care to detect cancer faster and improve patient experience.
Evaluation
The University of Strathclyde was commissioned to evaluate Scotland’s first RCDSs to better understand their role in detecting cancer and to ensure optimal components are embedded in future models.
An interim report was published in November 2021. The final evaluation of RCDSs was published in February 2024 on the university’s website.
A summary, focusing on the high-level findings and optimal components of a RCDS, is published below.
Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services Interim Report [PDF]
Final Report of the Evaluation of Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services
Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services Evaluation Summary [PDF]
Resources
The Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services have attracted attention at a number of national events and conferences in relation to best practice and collaborative working. Some resources from these can be found below.
NHS Scotland Presentation - Forming Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services in
Scotland