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Reducing waiting times for diagnosis - Left in the Dark

On 18 April 2005 Tony Blair and the the former Health Secretary Dr John Reid MP announced: "if Labour is re-elected, by 2008 everyone referred for possible breast cancer will see a specialist within two weeks."

Breakthrough secured this commitment from the government through its Left in the Dark campaign. This campaign was launched in 2003 in the belief that it is not acceptable for people with breast problems to be “left in the dark”, anxiously waiting and wondering if they have breast cancer

Background

I’ve listened to women tell me that the wait is like putting your life on hold, waiting to get the certainty they need to confront their fears and put an end to the distress of their family and friends.

Rt Hon Dr John Reid MP, former
Health Secretary
Research shows women find waiting for a breast cancer diagnosis extremely distressing, regardless of the outcome.

Since April 1999 every person referred urgently with suspected breast cancer has been guaranteed an appointment with a specialist within two weeks. Breakthrough welcomed this and is delighted 99% of women referred urgently by their GP see a specialist consultant in that time.

However, it is estimated that around 10,000 women subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer in England are given a routine referral and can wait up to 17 weeks for an appointment (based on work Breakthrough carried out in 2003 to support the Left in the Dark campaign).

Following Labour’s announcement, this will cease to be the case from 2008, when all women referred for possible breast cancer will see a specialist within two weeks.

Prior to the Government’s announcement Breakthrough worked closely with policy makers to raise their awareness of the Left in the Dark campaign. The policy change is an encouraging development for everyone involved in campaigning for a better deal for people affected by breast cancer as it demonstrates politicians are willing to engage in debate and respond positively.

Making it happen

Having to wait for a result I was a wreck because you're always thinking "what if?". No sleep, crying, telephone calls, isolation. Once I had the diagnosis I coped much better. Not knowing is torture.

Breast Cancer Patient, Breakthrough
Patient Survey 2003
Over the coming months, Breakthrough will be working with health professionals in breast care to make the two-week wait a reality. In February 2006 we held a Left in the Dark seminar attended by 100 representatives from breast units across the country. The seminar gave a platform for colleagues currently meeting the target to explain how they have achieved this and suggest how others might do the same.

Strategies discussed ranged from a training model for nurse practitioners, enabling nurses to take a clinical role in the examination of women referred to hospital, to the use of bleeps to prevent waiting rooms from overcrowding.

The audience also had an opportunity to ask the panel questions and to hear from Mike Richards, National Cancer Director, about the Government’s commitment to the two-week wait.

Breakthrough will continue to work closely with professionals and the Department of Health to develop practical strategies and to disseminate good practice nationwide. Our Head of Policy is currently sitting on the Department of Health’s Working Group for the two-week wait, ensuring that the patient voice is heard by those responsible for ensuring that the target is met.

Read our Left in the Dark campaign report (183 kb) [pdf] on the referral system and how it can better meet the needs of women waiting for a diagnosis. The campaign report was compiled after research with women, GPs and breast surgeon consultants.




For further information

Madeleine Davies
madeleined@breakthrough.org.uk
Tel: 020 7025 0082
Fax: 020 7025 2401

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