Rapid Diagnosis Clinic

Did you know, approximately 55% of patients with cancer do not present with a ‘red flag’ however often experience vague symptoms such as unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, unexplained abdomen or back pain, nausea, shortness of breath and/or unexpected abnormal blood test results.

Not having a diagnoses can be a particularly worrying time for both the patient and their loved ones.

Reflecting on the research and success of an earlier pilot study undertaken in 2017 by colleagues from Denmark, Swansea Bay and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, a small team of specialist clinicians, coordinators, doctors and GP’s officially launched the Rapid Diagnosis Clinic (RDC) at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board in April 2023.

Patients aged 18+ who are not suitable for a site specific pathway or show signs of any of these unexplained symptoms can now be referred by their GP to the RDC for urgent screening (breast, prostate examination including access to blood testing, FIT testing and CT scans of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis) and receive a diagnosis in as little as 9 days.

While 90% of patient referrals will not have a cancer diagnoses, for the remaining 10%, this means expedited access to the appropriate speciality for onward investigation and/or subsequent treatment.

The service has been widely popular thanks to a concerted effort by everyone involved in its inception campaigning and raise awareness among colleagues and members of the public including Rapid Diagnosis Clinical Nurse Specialist, Sharon Hulley who recently presented the service outcomes to delegates attending the Grand Round on September 11th.

Sharon explained while Wales has the highest cancer mortality rates and one of the lowest 1 and 5 year survival data, the Rapid Diagnosis Clinic is significantly improving the landscape for patients by reducing the number of days from initial referral to diagnoses from 84.22 days to 6.2 days.

During its first year of operation, the service has received 552 referrals (averaging 46 per month) of which 360 have been accepted (55%) due to eligibility or delays in patient contact or lacking required information.

The highest cohort of referrals has been predominantly female patients (57%) and the top 4 vague symptoms referred has been weight loss, unexpected lab results, GP suspects patient has cancer or fatigue.

Referral outcomes for non-malignant diagnoses (respiratory diagnoses, gastro, cardiology surgical and neurological and mental health including anxiety diet and lifestyle factors) was 53.4% (significantly higher than national average of approximately 30%).

The cancer conversation rate of referrals where cancer was present was 6.6% (slightly higher than national average in Wales of 5.7%).

For more information regarding the rapid diagnoses clinic, please visit.