Soft tissue sarcoma pathway project meets transformation deadline
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust has reported on the results of a project it undertook as part of the NHS England Elective Care Transformation Programme. The radiology and sarcoma team embarked on transforming the soft tissue sarcoma pathway and had to complete this within the 100-day time frame set by NHSE.
The initial aim of the radiology and sarcoma teams was to reduce the pathway by two weeks through a variety of interventions. These included the introduction of ultrasound referral guidelines to primary care with the aim of reducing inappropriate referrals; enabling specialist sonographers via an extended scope of practice to refer for onward cross-sectional imaging; creating sarcoma e-referral bundles; creating interactive information sharing between patient services and primary care for these patients; and the implementation of virtual screening clinics to streamline the service, redirect referrals and ensure the appropriate use of the two-week wait system.
These interventions have meant that the soft tissue sarcoma pathway has been successfully reduced from 93 days to less than 30 days from referral to diagnosis. Feedback from patients, clinicians and service users has been positive and the team hopes that other pathways and trusts will be able to replicate the work to achieve similar results.
Supported by consultant MSK radiologist Dr Matthew Thomas and consultant medical oncologist Dr Peter Simmonds, the team members were lead superintendent sonographer Laura Ellis, PACS manager Richard Lewis, A&E superintendent Andrea Boycott, sarcoma and melanoma ANP Katy Wood, sarcoma ANP Louise Sharif and service improvement manager Rebecca Gough.
Picture: Sarcoma and melanoma ANP Katy Wood, sarcoma ANP Louise Sharif, service improvement manager Rebecca Gough, PACS manager Richard Lewis, consultant MSK radiologist Dr Matthew Thomas and lead superintendent sonographer Laura Ellis.
Published on page 16 of the August issue of RAD Magazine.
