Abstract
BackgroundRecent guidelines have specified a number of waiting time targets to prevent delay in the treatment of lung cancer. This study was carried out to assess the quality of lung cancer services and compare with national recommendations.MethodsAll newly diagnosed cases of lung cancer presenting to our institution via general practitioner referral were entered into a prospective tracking study by a dedicated audit officer. From September 2003 to March 2005 a total of 247 patients were entered into the study. Of these 133 (54%) were referred by general practitioners and the remainder 114 (46%) were internal referrals. The Cancer Plan waiting time targets are mainly applicable to GP referrals, which formed the study group.ResultsAll the patients were seen in chest out-patients clinic within the recommended two weeks period. However there was a delay in starting all forms of treatment. The median waiting time to any form of treatment was 60 days (recommendation 62 days for all patients).ConclusionThis data demonstrates that although patients receive out patient consultation in the recommended time period, the National Cancer Plan 62 days GP referral to treatment target is not being achieved. A concerted effort by all clinicians is required to meet the prescribed target times.
Highlights
Recent guidelines have specified a number of waiting time targets to prevent delay in the treatment of lung cancer
The prognosis for lung cancer remains poor with overall five-year survival of 5–10%
Cancer Plan has been the introduction of multi-disciplinary team meetings and an interval of 14 days from urgent GP referral to first outpatient assessment, and 62 days from GP referral to first mode of treatment [2,3]
Summary
Recent guidelines have specified a number of waiting time targets to prevent delay in the treatment of lung cancer. This study was carried out to assess the quality of lung cancer services and compare with national recommendations. The prognosis for lung cancer remains poor with overall five-year survival of 5–10%. This has changed little in the past two decades [1] and is attributed to delays in presentation, diagnosis, staging and treatment. Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery 2007, 2:5 http://www.cardiothoracicsurgery.org/content/2/1/5 for lung cancer at South Manchester University Hospital (SMUHT) and compare it with the national recommendations. SMUHT is a major UK teaching hospital receiving secondary and tertiary referral for thoracic oncology services which has all on site facilities for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment
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