A pioneering cancer initiative from Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has been recognised on the national stage after being shortlisted for a prestigious Nursing Times Award.
The trust’s faster diagnosis cancer nurses have been named as finalists in the Ingrid Fuchs Cancer Nursing Award category, in recognition of their work transforming how patients access life-saving diagnostics.
The nomination centres on an innovative self-referral model, developed and delivered by team, which enables patients to refer themselves directly into diagnostic pathways without needing to see a GP first.
Jessica Barton, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust’s lead faster diagnosis nurse, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for a Nursing Times Award.
“This is recognition of a huge amount of work from a dedicated group of nurses and colleagues who are passionate about improving cancer care for our patients.”
The initiative was launched in response to concerns that too many patients were being diagnosed at a later stage, with traditional referral routes sometimes causing delays.
Jessica added: “We knew we needed to do something different if we were going to improve early diagnosis rates.
“One of the key challenges was that patients had to go through multiple steps before reaching the right diagnostic service, which could lead to delays.
“We wanted to remove those barriers and give patients a more direct route into care.”
The team began by introducing a self-referral pathway for post-menopausal bleeding, allowing patients to access a one-stop clinic without first visiting their GP.
“Our first pathway showed us what was possible,” said Jessica. “Patients were being assessed and diagnosed much more quickly, often within just a few days. It really demonstrated the impact of giving patients direct access to the right services.”
Building on that success, the approach was expanded to include additional pathways, including colorectal, breast and chest X-ray referrals, creating what is believed to be one of the most comprehensive self-referral cancer diagnostic programmes in the country.
Patients can now use a range of digital routes, including online platforms and the NHS App, to refer themselves into specialist services, reducing reliance on GP appointments and improving access for those who might otherwise have faced delays.
Since launching, the pathways have already had a significant impact, with strong patient uptake and clear clinical benefits.
“In total, we’ve seen thousands of patients come through these pathways,” added Jessica.
“Most importantly, we’ve been able to identify cancers earlier, which gives patients a much better chance of successful treatment.
“That’s ultimately what this is all about – improving outcomes and saving lives.”
The initiative has also helped to ease pressure on primary care, freeing up GP time, while ensuring patients who need urgent investigation are prioritised more quickly.
The winners of the Nursing Times Awards will be announced later this year.
PHOTO: Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton and Wellington, with, from left, Jessica Barton – lead faster diagnosis nurse, Rosie Edgerley – cancer programme manager, and Niamh Dinneen and Reny Devassey – faster diagnosis nurses.
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