The Single Queue Diagnostic Pathway – Information for Clinicians

Following a successful pilot study as part of the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance COVID-19 recovery plan in 2021, the Single Queue Diagnostic project has been expanded. It aims to create a referral portal using the Federated Data Platform (FDP), building on earlier work delivered via Infoflex®, and implement its use for certain specialist diagnostic tests across Greater Manchester. The FDP is a secure, web-based solution that enables appointment availability to be visible across different hospital trust sites in Greater Manchester. This means patients can be offered a choice of dates and hospital trusts at which to have their procedure. The intention is that patients can access the earliest possible appointment, even if this is not at their usual hospital. The diagnostic tests currently operating as a single queue in Greater Manchester are Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS), Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS), Local Anaesthetic Thoracoscopy (LAT) and Image Guided Lung Biopsy.

By creating a single queue, we aim to reduce delays at the front end of the patient pathway. All available EBUS, EUS, LAT and Image Guided Lung Biopsy appointment slots across Greater Manchester will be visible to the referring clinician via the FDP. Patients then have the option to travel further within the region to have their test more quickly, should they wish to do so.
Feedback from service users during the pilot project showed that the majority of patients would prefer to be offered an earlier appointment, even if this meant travelling further. Patients often find the waiting period for diagnostic tests to be one of the most difficult parts of their cancer pathway. Using a single queue system helps to reduce this period of waiting.

“During the past 12 months I have been actively involved with The Single Queue Diagnostics Pathway Board and have been amazed at the work done behind the scenes by clinicians to shorten the time  it takes to give a diagnosis to people suspected of having cancer.

The Single Queue Diagnostics offers people undergoing tests for cancer the option to shorten the wait for some investigations by offering appointments at the first available hospital, instead of having to wait for local hospital appointments to become available.

Work designed to achieve a faster diagnosis for the patient, and subsequently faster access to treatment, can only be welcomed by myself as a previous cancer patient and part of the user involvement team.

I am so proud to have been associated with this team.”

John Tattum, User Involvement Representative

Using the New Referral System

Training materials are currently being updated. Resources for the new referral system will be made available here shortly.