A new breast cancer assessment pathway is helping patients get faster access to care while easing pressure on GP practices, according to research led by the University of Stirling.
Dr. Erica Gadsby, from the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, evaluated a pilot project run by NHS Forth Valley and funded by Cancer Research UK through the Test Evidence Transition (TET) programme.
The pilot allowed people who discovered a lump in their breast to be referred directly to a breast assessment clinic. This bypassed the need for an initial GP appointment and the usual wait for a specialist referral.
Before the pilot, patients had to first see their GP, who would then refer them to Forth Valley Royal Hospital’s breast clinic.
Dr. Gadsby found that the direct referral pathway improved patient experience, prevented delays in diagnosis, and freed up GP time. The evaluation also showed that eliminating the GP appointment reduced costs, saving between £15.81 and £41.68 per patient.
NHS Forth Valley has now rolled out this streamlined pathway across all GP practices in its area.
“The new pathway safely removes an unnecessary step for eligible patients. It is efficient, cost-effective, and maintains the same clinical outcomes,” said Dr. Gadsby, Associate Professor of Public Health.
“Patients appreciated the speed, clarity, and convenience of the process. The approach also helps reduce pressure on GP services, especially where timely appointments are difficult to access.”
Dr. Gadsby worked with NHS Forth Valley staff to design and evaluate the fast-track referral system. Honorary Professor Juliette Murray, Consultant Breast Surgeon at NHS Forth Valley, added:
“Our one-stop breast assessment clinics already provide a range of diagnostics in a single visit. Allowing patients to attend these clinics directly, without seeing a GP first, makes the process faster and more efficient. This pathway benefits patients, GPs, and the healthcare system overall.”
During the nine-month pilot from August 2023, 393 patients attended the breast assessment clinic through direct referral. Feedback from patients emphasized the importance of clear communication and timely care.
“I didn’t feel I needed a GP appointment,” said one patient. “I could feel the lump. I know it’s there.”
Another patient commented, “It felt good to skip the middle step and go straight to the clinic rather than wait for a GP appointment.”
Dr. Gadsby concluded:
“This project demonstrates how evidence-based collaboration can improve patient access, experience, and sustainability in healthcare.”
Cancer Research UK provided £900,000 in funding for Phase 1 of the TET programme, which included the breast assessment clinic pilot. Naser Turabi, Director of Evidence and Implementation at Cancer Research UK, praised the initiative for improving access to specialist care.
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