ThP3.7 - Evaluating the Effectiveness of Internal Vetting for General Practitioners Referrals with Urgent Suspicion of Oesophago-Gastric Cancer

Aim The NHS faces substantial pressure on surgical clinic waiting times especially for urgent suspicion of cancer (USOC). This study audits the effectiveness of internal vetting process and the clinic waiting time for patients referred as USOC for oesophago-gastric cancer. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of all consecutive USOC referrals with suspected oesophago-gastric cancer who had clinic appointment in a single surgical unit between April to September 2022. All patients who fulfilled the Scottish referral criteria for USOC were included. Patients demographics, the urgency of clinic slot utilised and waiting time to clinic were analysed. This study was registered with Clinical Quality Project (LanQIP 14749). Results 275 patients were included; median age was 63 years (IQR 52-73) and 153 (55.6%) were female. 94 (34.2%) patients were appointed as USOC, 120 (43.6%) as urgent and 61 (22.2%) as routine clinic slot. Overall, the median time for clinic appointment was 42 days (IQR 31-63). The median time to clinic was 47, 42 and 21 days for USOC, urgent and routine clinic appointments, respectively. 21 (7.6%) patients did not attend clinic. Of the patients who attended the clinic, 200 (78.7%) had endoscopy requested. Conclusions Although General Practitioners made appropriate referrals, a noteworthy portion of patients were reassigned to urgent or routine clinic slots. Nevertheless, those downgraded in urgency received prompt clinic reviews. This can be attributed to the strategic use of less urgent slots, ensuring timely assessments for patients with urgent suspicion of oesophago-gastric cancer.