As part of our Cancer Des work 24/25, we were directed to undertake a retrospective audit by the Wessex Cancer Alliance. Looking at how our Primary Care Network has diagnosed and treated 3 different types of cancer: Pancreatic, Oesophageal and Lung. These cancers remain both the hardest to diagnose and most difficult to treat effectively.

We are always looking for ways to be more effective, and this audit was designed to look for areas where we can improve the diagnosis process as well as how primary and secondary care can be more effective in their treatment.

We were pleased to discover that when GPs use the 2 weeks wait referral tool for suspected cancer, patients aren’t waiting longer than an average of 2 weeks for their hospital appointment. Having an accurate and up to date medical history on file helps to inform your GP throughout the process.

During the audit, a common issue we saw arise was the lack of awareness of support available for those diagnosed with cancer.

Patients are given lots of information from the hospital after a cancer diagnosis, accessing the type of support you need when you need it, can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Wessex Cancer Support, Bourne House, 23 Hinton Road, Bournemouth, BH1 2EF

• Mondays and Thursdays: 10:00am to 3:00pm
• Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 10:00am to 1:00pm

Knowing this, please click the link below to see the list of support on offer which may be helpful: