Suspected Cancer Pathway Navigator

The SCAN (Suspected CANcer) Pathway

Many patients visit their GP with 'vague' symptoms such as weight loss and tiredness. These symptoms are called 'non-specific' as they affect the whole person.

Often the cause of these symptoms remains unclear after GP assessment. There is commonly a minor cause for such symptoms. However, there is a small chance that they could be the signs of a serious illness, such as cancer. Therefore, these symptoms are often called 'low-risk but not no-risk' symptoms.

The SCAN Pathway provides GP's with access to rapid investigations for patients with 'non-specific' symptoms. This avoids patients can go back and forth between their GP and the hospital many times until a diagnosis is made; this takes time with diagnoses and treatment potentially delayed. Although the risk of serious disease is low, a delay in diagnosis and treatment may have a negative effect on the patients' health and overall wellbeing.

Dependent on these results, an appointment with a Doctor working in a Multi Diagnostic Clinic (MDC) is arranged. The aim is to reach a diagnosis and begin treatment as quickly as possible.

Navigators co-ordinate all aspects of the SCAN pathway, both face to face and virtually; organising appointments, acting as a support and information role for others within the service and undertaking clinical duties.

Provide a constant point of contact, provide advice, support and information for allpatients referred to the SCAN pathway, from referral to diagnosis or at the point they areassigned a Cancer Nurse Specialist (if a cancer is found).Liaise with referring GPs to collect data/information required for project.Cannulate patients and take blood samples prior their CT scan.Ensure that samples collected from patients are sent to laboratory for testing.Collect required survey information from patients throughout the patients pathway.To liaise with the Multi Diagnostic Clinic teams to arrange patient appointments and review.To vet within guidelines and assess referrals as required.To advise medical and non-medical referrers as to the appropriate radiological investigationas required.

To undertake formal training in role extension as required and in accordance withdepartmental policies and requirements.To provide professional and emotional support to peers and junior staff.To relate to all patients with understanding and care, respecting their privacy and dignity toprovide a caring and confidential service.To demonstrate dexterity, accuracy and attention to detail in the preparation of specialistequipment for procedures to be undertaken within the unit whilst adhering to Local andTrust policies e.g. intravenous drug administration, taking blood samples.To be able to use the departmental Radiology Information System, ComputerisedRadiography system and the Picture Archiving Communication System following training.To manage own workload and organise departmental workload when necessary.To work Saturdays and Sundays as required, as part of extending the working week.To undertake the departmental and Trust induction Programme.To adhere to all Trust policies including Health & Safety Regulations, COSHH Regulations, andthe Data Protection Act.To comply with all radiation protection policies such as IR(ME)R the Code of Practice for theProtection of Persons against Ionising Radiations arising from Medical and Dental use andthe IRR 99 Regulations.To adhere to safe systems of work with regard to manual handling.To be aware of all Quality Control procedures with the department, including QualityAssurance testing for image quality and equipment safety, and to perform clinical auditswithin the department.

Churchill Radiology Department

The radiology Department is within the Cancer and Haematology Centre, opened in 2009. Primarily, we provide imaging services across the specialities found on site: Oncology, Radiotherapy, Breast, Renal, Urology, Transplantation, Chest Medicine, upper and lower GI, Head and Neck, Haematology and Infectious Diseases.

We have 2 CT scanners, one 64 slice GE CT scanner and one 256 Slice GE CT Scanner. We cover all types of scanning in CT this includes cardiac, pneumocolons, orthopaedic and all various CT guided interventional procedures including microwave ablations.

The Churchill Radiology department also has a 10 bed Day Case Unit which supports interventional imaging across the department, including the admission, recovery and discharge of patients undergoing a variety of diagnostic and treatment procedures.

The department also includes 2 GE MRI Scanners, a 1.5T and 3T, 2 flat plate interventional rooms, 2 PET/CT scanners, 2 Gamma Camera's including SPECT CT, 4 ultrasound rooms, a Lithotripsy unit and 5 DR GE Definium 8000 rooms.

Other specialist techniques include Hyperpolarised Xenon Imaging, High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound and SIRTS.

Opportunities are available for personal and professional development and commitment to an out of hours and weekend service is required.

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