New tech promises faster diagnosis for millions of cancer patients

Millions of cancer patients are set to benefit from faster diagnosis as their analogue NHS records are gathered in one place in a new digital platform.

Cancer 360, a new tool to be rolled out across the service soon, brings cancer patients' data into one central system, so clinicians can prioritise those most in need and see patients quicker, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said.

The £26bn technology upgrade will benefit millions of patients in the next five to 10 years by transferring existing analogue systems and the data they hold into a digital one.

It means staff will no longer have to gather important information about each cancer patient from different spreadsheets, emails and records.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said relying on "archaic pen-and-paper systems" meant vital appointments could hinge on "whether a post-it note lost its stick or a piece of paper went missing".

That, he said, could "put lives at risk".

The new technology will "cut waiting times and save lives, delivering on our plan for change", he added.

It is understood that trusts will not have to use the tool, but any failing to meet the cancer treatment target - including that 85% of patients start their treatment within 62 days of referral - may be asked to consider whether it could help.

As well as helping patients get a faster diagnosis, the DHSC said Cancer 360 will also help cut treatment delays and thus boost survival rates.

Dr Vin Diwakar, NHS national clinical transformation director, said Cancer 360 gives clinicians a "comprehensive view of patient pathways" and, as it goes nationwide, will deliver "meaningful improvements in both treatment times and patient experience".

The technology helped one of the trusts where it was piloted meet the faster diagnosis standard that three-quarters of patients should receive a diagnosis or ruling out of cancer within 28 days of referral.

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Suraiya Abdi, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Chelsea and Westminster Foundation Trust, said Cancer 360 has helped staff "safely carry our patients through their cancer pathway".

Amongst the improvements they have enjoyed, the medic said it "has reduced the amount of admin time spent by our cancer team" as well as lifting "performance, team spirit and most importantly patient experience".