A new diagnostic pathway for head and neck cancer will help
ensure patients have cancer ruled in or out faster.
Scotland’s Head and Neck Optimal Cancer Diagnostic Pathway,
designed by clinical experts, sets out a new model for NHS
Scotland to deliver an effective and efficient service.
This will allow resources to be targeted at patients with cancer
- removing non-cancer patients from the pathway earlier – and
improve the quality, safety, and effectiveness of care.
Head and neck cancers are relatively uncommon although incidence
rates have increased gradually in the last ten years, with around
1,300 cases in Scotland diagnosed each year.
Head and neck cancers encompass more than 30 areas within the
head and neck including the mouth, lip, tongue, and nose.
The new pathway sets dedicated timeframes for each step of the
diagnostic process to enable diagnosis by day 30 and treatment to
start by day 62. It was developed through the Centre for
Sustainable Delivery (CfSD), a national unit designed to
sustainably improve and transform Scotland's health care system.
Health Secretary , said:
“Following considerable engagement from clinical teams across NHS
Scotland I am pleased to see the publication of Scotland’s Head
and Neck Optimal Cancer Diagnostic Pathway.
“As set out in our recently published Cancer Plan, cancer remains
a national priority for the NHS and Scottish Government. This
new, gold standard, pathway will enhance the efficiency of head
and neck cancer services and provide improved experiences and
outcomes for patients.”
The Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme
has provided around £1.8 million of funding to support
implementation of the new pathway. Boards will use the money to
re-align services so patients can receive multiple tests - where
clinically appropriate, at the one time - reducing their visits
to hospital and speeding up time to diagnosis.
Cancer Research UK’s public affairs manager in Scotland, Dr
Sorcha Hume, said:
“We welcome the optimal head and neck cancer diagnostic pathway
for Scotland. We hope this new pathway will help to ensure
patients have access to the right treatment as soon as possible,
regardless of where they live. We support this initiative which
we hope will ensure an earlier, more managed diagnosis to improve
the experience of patients and their families.”
Background
- Scotland’s Cancer Plan was
published in June 2023, including a new earlier diagnosis
ambition to reduce later stage disease by 18% over the next 10
years.
