Audit of patient's waiting time to see their family doctor prior to referral to a fast-access breast clinic in the era of a guaranteed 2-week wait.

PURPOSE

A prospective study aimed at assessing the effect of introduction of a fast-tract referral system for patients with suspected breast cancer and the quality of GP referrals in Barnsley.

METHODS

Between February and April 2001, 70 consecutive patients with symptomatic breast disorders were seen in the fast-access breast clinic. Mean age=46 years (range 18-84). Ten non-urgent referrals seen in the study period were included in the analysis to determine the appropriateness of such referrals. Three screening criteria were used to select high-risk patients and data were recorded prospectively. Patients were classified as urgent, soon or routine based on symptomatology.

RESULTS

Of the 70 patients seen, 20 were considered as urgent, 20 as soon and 30 as routine. Forty patients were seen within the '2-week wait' period. Twelve were classified on clinical grounds as malignant. Mean waiting time to see the GP was 2.2 days. Mean waiting time to see the specialist breast surgeon was 6.6 days.

CONCLUSION

A fast-track system for suspected breast cancer has led to a significant reduction in the time to diagnosis and initiation of a definitive treatment, with most made within 2 weeks. Fast-track referrals is not appropriate in all cases.