Our Haematology Advanced Practitioners are reaping the rewards of their efforts to transform the diagnosis pathway for haematology patients.

Cancer Navigator, Lisa Townsend, Nurse Practitioner Rebekah Ramsden, and Advanced Practitioners, Mel Tempest and Sarah Metrrick have been working hard to create a diagnosis pathway which aims to ensure haematology patients receive timely diagnosis, referrals and decisions to treat their conditions.

The pathway means that when patients are referred to haematology with a suspected blood cancer, that referral is triaged by a consultant and if there is a concern they are then fast tracked for review and investigation. This appointment was historically completed by a consultant, but as part of the transformation, these appointments are now with Advanced Practitioners who will review the patient and arrange appropriate diagnostics. Once results are received they will inform the patient and will either start them on their next treatments or will discharge them if there is no evidence of cancer.

This new way of working is having a fantastic benefit on our patients - cancer waiting lists have been reduced, patients are starting their treatment earlier and feedback from them has been extremely positive.

Thank you to the whole team for all your effort and hard work in making this happen