There are many different pathways for urgent referrals, fast track, rapid access, direct access to name just a few.

However, if a standard urgent referral is received it follows the same pathway as a routine referral but an urgent referral slot is allocated.

How to access the Fast Track Office

This procedure covers the referral process between primary and secondary care for patients whom you suspect may have cancer.

Previous guidelines should help you identify those patients who are most likely to have cancer and who therefore require urgent assessment by a specialist.  It should also help you to identify patients who are unlikely to have cancer - those who may be appropriately monitored in the primary care setting, or require non-urgent referral to the hospital.

The Fast Track Office for all referrals with suspected cancer is based at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Referrals of patients with suspected cancer are subject to the TWO WEEK RULE if they are clearly identified by the GP as URGENT and provided they are received by the Foundation Trust within the 24 hours of the GP making the decision to refer.

For these referrals, the Foundation Trust must arrange an appointment with the specialist within 14 calendar days from the date of GP decision to refer.

Once the date/time of the appointment is arranged, this will be confirmed with the patient usually by letter or telephone call.

Arrangements in place for GPs to communicate these urgent referrals within 24 hours are:-

Faxing the completed referral proforma to either:

01274 382543

or

01274 382544

Please remember to consult the guidelines for referring suspected cancers and fax using the correct referral proforma at all times