Supporting Urgent Suspected Cancer pathways
How it works
Covering over half of the NHS across England, Scotland and Wales, Consultant Connect is the UK’s most widely used Enhanced Advice & Guidance (A&G) service, connecting healthcare professionals and patients across the NHS.
The service enables clinicians to use a unique Dial-In Number, the secure Consultant Connect App, or their desktop computers to call specialist NHS clinicians for pre-referral advice and guidance. Clinicians can also use Consultant Connect via the app or in their browser to send photos and/or messages directly to specialist NHS clinicians for pre-referral advice and guidance. All calls are recorded for medico-legal purposes, and photos and messages are saved in a secure cloud and never stored on phones.
By providing pre-referral advice and guidance, specialists can ensure that patients are placed on the appropriate pathway first time, avoiding unnecessary waits or referrals. This ensures that patients needing to be seen urgently, such as those with suspected cancer for example, are seen in a timely manner by the most relevant medical team, reducing any patient anxiety.
Our tech is transforming urgent suspected cancer (USC) pathways across the UK by streamlining referrals. NHS areas use our messaging proforma to set up tailored pre-referral advice pathways, reducing the number of unnecessary cancer referrals whilst expediting urgent and routine referrals.
The benefits of using Consulant Connect for USC pathways:
1.Simple and quick pre-referral advice:
Safely share patient details and photos with clinicians for quick pre-referral advice to ensure patients receive timely treatment. Messages are answered within 12 hours on average.
2. Ensure pathway adherence:
We can create bespoke proformas, allowing for the easy capture and mandating of vital information prior to submission for review, thereby minimising the risk of rejection.
3. Reduce unnecessary referrals:
By ensuring all relevant information is included prior to a USC referral being accepted, patients are often discharged prior to the appointment and redirected to alternative pathways, reducing unnecessary stress or anxiety. For those who need to be seen, they can be fast-tracked and prioritised accordingly.
4. IG-secure:
All photos and messages are saved in an IG-secure and GDPR-compliant cloud, not on the device, meaning photos won’t appear on a camera roll or in the recently deleted folder. After taking images they are automatically sent to the clinicians’ NHS email address, and can be accessed and downloaded via Consultant Connect in a browser.
5. Integrated into existing systems:
The system automatically integrates with e-RS, so when a referral is indicated, queries can be easily converted to an e-RS referral without leaving the Consultant Connect platform. Our integration with SystmOne/EMIS automatically adds the interaction to the patient’s record, freeing up valuable clinical and admin time.
6. Regular data-rich reports:
Each project has a dedicated Account Manager who can deliver bespoke user demonstrations and Q&A sessions. We also provide tailored reports, giving insight into the number of queries received and how the patient’s journey has proceeded, reviewing and refining the project strategy.
Outcomes and Impact
Download your copy - USC Infographic
In practice
World Cancer Day: using Consultant Connect to support with USC pathways
Area Case Study | NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICS
Suspected Head & Neck Cancer Messaging service
The Paediatrics 2WW Pathway that is speeding up cancer diagnoses and avoiding unnecessary hospital visits
The messaging pathway that is expediting cancer diagnoses in North Central London
How Consultant Connect tech enabled WAST clinicians to avoid hospital visit for vulnerable cancer patient
Improving cancer care in Leeds
Improving the care of Children and Young People
Suspected Head & Neck Cancer Messaging service
GP and consultant case study: Paediatric 2WW Pathway
Contact Us
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For more information about how we work with commissioners, hospitals and mental health trusts to improve patient care, please get in touch.
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