A “waiting for investigation” index would be useful

BMJ 2002; 324 doi: 10.1136/bmj.324.7331.241b (Published 26 January 2002)
Cite this as: BMJ 2002;324:241.3

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  1. Vanessa Pope, specialist registrar in general surgery (pope@doctors.org.uk),
  2. P A Sykes, consultant surgeon
  1. Royal Bolton Hospital, Bolton BL4 0JR
  2. Trafford General Hospital, Manchester M41 5SL

    EDITOR—Oliver raises the point that all stages of the cancer care pathway need speeding up, not just the time taken to see urgent referrals under the two week rule.1 We are becoming increasingly concerned about the long delays that many patients experience while they wait for investigations needed before the most appropriate treatment can be decided.

    The initial delay to see a hospital consultant, and the time spent on a waiting list …

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