INTRODUCTION: The Department of Health has recently developed new targets for waiting times within cancer pathway, which aim to shorten the time between referral for a suspected malignancy and the communication of a definitive diagnosis. The proposed targets in the “Find Out Faster” document include:• 50% of patients to receive communication of a definitive diagnosis within 14 days.• 95% of patients to receive communication of a definitive diagnosis within 28 days.Are these targets achievable for patients referred with a suspected diagnosis of Glioblastoma? METHOD: A retrospective audit was conducted of the pathways of 50 consecutive patients referred to our Brain & CNS tumours MDT between 21/10/2014–31/12/2015 who subsequently received a diagnosis of glioblastoma. RESULTS: Nineteen patients received a radiological diagnosis only and 31 received a histological diagnosis. The median time taken from referral to communication of a diagnosis was 22 days with 30% of patients receiving their diagnosis within 14 days and 74% within 28 days. Factors contributing to delays in the diagnostic pathway included: MDT decision to communication of radiological diagnosis (Median 7 days); MDT decision to admission for surgery (Median 13 days); Histology reported to communication of diagnosis (Median 8 days). CONCLUSION: Clarity is needed within the proposed guidelines regarding the definition of terms such as “definitive diagnosis” and “referral date” which are key points of measurement in the management pathway. Refinement of the current patient pathway is likely to lead to the achievement of the ‘find out faster’ target of 95% of patients to receive communication of a definitive diagnosis within 28 days. Achieving the new standard will impact on job planning for all members of the MDT. The achievement of the secondary target, 50% of patients to receive communication of a definitive diagnosis within 14 days, is unlikely.
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