Cancer waiting times standards in Scotland: clinical review

7. Suggested next steps

• Changes to referral and triage processes should be undertaken through regional cancer networks, tumour specific specialty groups and by a refresh of the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer used in primary care.

• Modification of collection and access to cancer data, and integration of all available cancer data, should be led by regional and NHS Board Cancer Managers, audit staff and colleagues in ISD Scotland.

• An expert pathways group should assess available evidence for the inclusion/removal of tumour types from CWT standards, alignment of timescales according to tumour biology and consider the addition of times to subsequent treatments in the standards.

• A separate group should consider patient and carer information sources, optimal support from referral onwards and review the role of PROMs. This group would benefit from strong patient group and third sector leadership.

• Retaining a patient focus is clearly vital and key to any consideration of change is the need to ensure the patient voice is well heard.