A multidisciplinary audit of head and neck referrals: considerations for patients' timelines and outcomes

The Rapid Diagnostic Clinic (RDC) was introduced to comply with NICE recommendations for improving head and neck cancer services (National Institute of Clinical Excellence 2004 Improving outcomes in head and neck cancer: the manual. NICE, London). It provides multi-modality specialist assessment for new referrals, with on-site sonography and cytology. We have critically appraised the efficacy of our RDC, with respect to its impact on patients' timelines and outcomes. A retrospective audit of new referrals to the head and neck clinic during a 6-month period was conducted (pre-RDC period); areas in delay in patients reaching a definitive outcome were identified. Following implementation of the RDC, a second cycle, prospective audit was performed and its impact on timelines for patients' journey and outcomes determined. One hundred and ninety-seven patients were seen during the pre-RDC period. The average time from referral to being seen was 11 days for 2-week wait (2WW) referrals and 34 days for other sources. During the RDC period, 299 patients were seen in total. The average waiting time was reduced to 9 days for 2WW referrals and 23 days for other referrals. During the RDC period, over one-third of patients utilised the provision of ultrasound ± FNAC, and consequently, the majority reached a definitive outcome (discharged or scheduled for surgery) following their first consultation. This was a significant improvement compared to the pre-RDC period, where the main outcome was referral for an investigation, with consequently longer waiting time for surgery. We report the first study to consider the effect of a 'one-stop' clinic on patients' journey timelines and outcomes. Our study has shown that the RDC provides an efficient and effective system, which facilitates the patients' pathway to a definitive management plan.