Two audits on the two-week wait head and neck suspected cancer referrals: Is the referral form being filled in correctly and is this contributing to inappropriate referrals?

Begum, Jameel Unnissa; Davies, M.; Lawson, J.; Burke, Eoghan

doi:10.1016/j.ijsu.2015.07.293

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…This has been realized following similar nursing ACP opportunities (Pearce & Breen, 2018). The opportunity to work more closely with GPs was also cited as a chance to improve the quality of referrals to the pathway as this existing issue adds to pressure on the 2ww system (Begum et al., 2015). This opportunity may also address the issue outlined in ‘Weaknesses’ of a lack of understanding of the SLT's role in primary care.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the context of a shortage of HNC surgeons (York, 2004) and a 33% projected increase in oropharyngeal cancer cases by 2035 (Smittenaar et al., 2016), it is vital that ENT specialists and the 2ww pathway are used by those most in need. Inappropriate and incomplete referrals are described at some centres (Begum et al., 2015; Mitchell et al., 2019), further contributing to the 2ww pressures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Scoping opinion: Speech and language therapists’ views on extending their role to the urgent ear, nose and throat pathway

Occomore-Kent

Hatch

Cruice

2021

Intl J Lang & Comm Disor

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Background: In the UK, there is increasing pressure on ear, nose and throat (ENT) clinicians and departments, which is anticipated to amplify in the coming months and years due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and other workforce pressures. In the context of a national drive to advance practice of Allied Health Professionals to address some key challenges facing the National Health Service, we explored whether UK speech and language therapists (SLTs) felt it is possible to utilize and extend their existing skills to patients on the urgent 2-week wait (2ww) ENT pathway. Aims: To explore SLTs' views of extending their role to work with patients referred on the ENT 2ww pathway.Methods & Procedures: Two separate focus groups were conducted using nominal group technique to generate and rank benefits and challenges of the proposed extension of role. Participants were invited to take part through Clinical Excellence Networks relevant to head and neck cancer and voice sub-specialties.Participants were competent in performing nasendscopy in at least a highly specialist role in voice or head and neck subspecialties.Outcomes & Results: Nine SLTs from England, Wales and Northern Ireland attended two focus groups. All were employed in band 8 roles in head and neck and/or voice. Eight were competent to Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' scoping level 3. Important benefits of the proposed novel service delivery model were generated and ranked by participants, with both groups identifying improved quality and efficiency of service for patients among the most important. Disadvantages were then generated and ranked across the two groups with potential for misdiagnosis ranked as the most important by both. Conclusions & Implications: Participants responded that extending the SLT role into assessment of 2ww patients would provide benefits for quality of care, healthcare efficiency and the SLT workforce. The identified disadvantages require addressing if the proposed SLT-led model of service delivery is piloted in This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scoping opinion: Speech and language therapists’ views on extending their role to the urgent ear, nose and throat pathway

Occomore-Kent

Hatch

Cruice

2021

Intl J Lang & Comm Disor

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the context of a shortage of HNC surgeons [9] and a 33% projected increase in oropharyngeal cancer cases by 2035 [10], it is vital that ENT specialists and the 2WW pathway are being used by those most in need. Inappropriate and incomplete referrals have been described at some centres [3,11], which may also contribute to the pressure on the current system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Speech and language therapy assessment of patients on the 2-week wait head and neck cancer referral pathway: evidence and opinion following a pilot study

Occomore-Kent

Slade

2021

Current Opinion in Otolaryngology &Amp; Head &Amp; Neck Surgery

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Purpose of review Spiralling numbers of patients are being referred on the two-week wait (2WW) head and neck cancer referral pathway. Only a small proportion are found to have cancer. There is a call for change in the management of these referrals, particularly following coronavirus. Allied health professionals (AHPs) are being encouraged by the NHS to extend their clinical practice to address increased demand. Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) may offer a solution to some of the 2WW pathway's challenges. Recent findings Recent evidence highlights problems with the pathway and reasons for change. Hoarse voice is consistently found to be the most common presenting symptom. Emerging evidence suggests SLTs can extend their scope of practice to manage new hoarse voice referrals. A pilot project is described. Outcomes from this and other ongoing studies explore efficacy and investment required to make this proposal an achievable prospect for the future Summary The management of 2WW referrals on the head and neck cancer pathway needs to change. Preliminary findings suggest SLTs working within the context of the multidisciplinary team can safely extended their role to improve management of these patients. Professional role outline, recognition, guidance, and training framework are needed.

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A review of the electronic two-week rule referrals for head and neck cancer to Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Grey

Walsh

2019

Br Dent J

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Two audits on the two-week wait head and neck suspected cancer referrals: Is the referral form being filled in correctly and is this contributing to inappropriate referrals?

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Scoping opinion: Speech and language therapists’ views on extending their role to the urgent ear, nose and throat pathway

Scoping opinion: Speech and language therapists’ views on extending their role to the urgent ear, nose and throat pathway

Speech and language therapy assessment of patients on the 2-week wait head and neck cancer referral pathway: evidence and opinion following a pilot study

A review of the electronic two-week rule referrals for head and neck cancer to Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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