A two-year pilot scheme has been launched at Wexham Park Hospital, providing fast track tests for patients who may have a serious illness.

Many patients visit their GP with symptoms such as weight loss and tiredness which have no obvious cause. There may be a minor cause for such symptoms, but there is a small chance that they could be the signs of a serious illness, such as cancer. GPs can now refer these patients to the Multidisciplinary Diagnostic Clinic.

The service aims to:

• carry out tests quickly to improve diagnosis
• diagnose or exclude cancer and other conditions earlier
• reduce the number of patients who require treatment as emergencies or visit their GP with late-stage disease
• improve patient experience and outcomes

After routine laboratory tests by the GP, patients referred to the clinic will have rapid access to CT scanning of the chest, abdomen and pelvis. Once the results of these tests are known, the patient will be referred promptly to the most appropriate clinical service.

The clinic is run by Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust in collaboration with East Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group and the Thames Valley Cancer Alliance.