The Oldham rapid diagnostic team was one of our finalists for the social value accolade at the recent NCA Colleague Awards. The team of 12 is based at the Oldham Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), using its facilities while running an independent service. They cover service users in Oldham and Salford.
Tell us about the team and how you have contributed to social value for local communities.
Our main aim is to pick up any patients who have symptoms that could indicate cancer. We refer them on for investigations under our team or other specific pathways and consistently meet the 28-day cancer target.
We have developed an inequality outreach initiative which involved visits to groups living in deprived areas or those that are homeless in the NCA footprint.
We also do health promotion as part of our work and have developed good links with local GPs and social work teams.
Describe a typical day in your department.
Patients have a telephone assessment in response to an urgent suspected cancer referral generated by a GP. The team organises relevant investigations like CT scans, bloods, and endoscopies. Patients are invited to attend CT scans which are reported and reviewed, usually on the same day. Follow-up is done regarding results either by phone or in person.
Describe your team in three words.
Dynamic, innovative and dedicated.
