Diagnostics

The Cancer Strategy for Scotland (2023-2033) sets out a national commitment to enhance diagnostics by publishing, and delivering, optimal cancer diagnostic pathways - including Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services (RCDS).

By implementing best-practice timed pathways, we can reduce variation, improve patient experience, shorten diagnostic journeys, and support NHS Scotland in meeting cancer waiting time standards.

Led by the Cancer Improvement and Earlier Diagnosis Team at the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD), this clinically-led process involves close collaboration with specialist teams across primary and secondary care in NHS Scotland.

The pathways outlined below provide cancer services with a gold standard skeleton model for delivering effective, efficient diagnostic care – with clear, ambitious timeframes for each step.

The establishment of Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services offers primary care with a new fast-track referral pathway for patients with non-specific symptoms that may be suspicious of cancer (such as weight loss). 

Independent evaluation of RCDSs has shown that:

“the model delivers a quality service at speed, is cost effective and highly valued by patients and staff”.