Rapid Diagnosis Centre (RDC)

Rapid Diagnosis Centres (RDCs) provide a diagnostic route for patients with non-specific but concerning (vague) symptoms who do not fit into a standard Urgent Suspected Cancer (USC) pathway, because of the absence of clear ‘red flag’ symptoms.

Introduction to the Rapid Diagnosis Centres (RDCs)

          

Speakers: Dr Heather Wilkes, GP/National RDC Clinical Lead, Swansea Bay UHB/Wales Cancer Network

Recorded: April 2022 Duration: 4 minutes

Transcript

RDCs will aim to deliver on an important previously unmet need for cancer patients in Wales by offering:

A single point of access to a diagnostic pathway for all patients with vague symptoms that could indicate cancer but with no site specific “red flags”.

Vague non-specific symptoms may include:

  • Unexplained laboratory test findings (eg. anaemia, hypercalcaemia)
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Severe unexplained fatigue
  • Persistent nausea or appetite loss
  • New atypical pain (eg. diffuse abdominal pain or bone pain)

The outcome is a personalised, accurate, and rapid diagnosis of patients’ symptoms and onward reassurance and co-produced management plan.

This series of webinars have been held to delve deeper into vague symptoms, how/where to start with targeted investigations, along with further investigations in a Vague Symptom RDC and when to refer on to specific specialties. 

RDC - Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary

Overview: The roll out of Rapid Diagnosis Centres for patients with vague symptoms where the GP
has the ‘gut feeling’ that these patients may have a cancer, is in full force across Wales.

Learning outcome: In this recorded webinar we explore the following Hepatobiliary disorders with Dr Dai
Samuel:

  • Asymptomatic cirrhosis detected on imaging
  • Diagnostic approach to abnormal LFT's
  • Common bile duct stones
  • Pancreatic Cancer mimics

As well as the following Gastroenterology presentations with Dr Neil Hawkes:

  • IBD and other causes of colitis
  • Causes of malabsorption
  • Role of FIT and Faecal calprotectin

 

 

 

Speakers: Dr Neil Hawkes, Consultant Gastroenterologist, CTMUHB and Dr Dai Samuel, Consultant Hepatologist, CTMUHB. 

Facilitated by: Dr Nimish Shah, GP CPD Lead

Recorded: October 2022 Duration: 56 minutes

RDC - Haematology

Overview: The roll out of Rapid Diagnosis Centres for patients with vague symptoms where the GP has the ‘gut feeling’ that these patients may have a cancer, is in full force across Wales.

Learning outcome: In this recorded webinar we explore the following Haematological conditions, enabling the listener to determine who should be referred to a Haematology or Rapid Diagnostic clinic, or alternatively who can be managed in primary care:

  • Unexplained lymphadenopathy
  • The diagnostic approach to paraproteins (including myeloma, Waldenstroms and MGUS)
  • Malignant and non-malignant abnormalities demonstrated in the FBC

 

Speaker: Dr Chris Jenkins, Consultant Haematologist in ABUHB.

Facilitated by: Dr Nimish Shah, GP CPD Lead

Recorded: December 2022 Duration: 54 minutes

RDC - Infectious Diseases

Overview: The roll out of Rapid Diagnosis Centres for patients with vague symptoms where the GP
has the ‘gut feeling’ that these patients may have a cancer, is in full force across Wales.

Learning outcome: In this recorded webinar we explore the following areas:

  • Infectious diseases which may present with non-specific signs and be ‘cancer mimics’
  • HIV
  • Pyrexia of unknown origin
  • The diagnostic approach to infection
  • Q&A

 

Speaker: Dr Owen Seddon, Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, PHW.

Facilitated by: Dr Nimish Shah, GP CPD Lead

Recorded: July 2022 Duration: 44 minutes

RDC - Respiratory

Overview: Rapid Diagnosis Centres (RDCsprovide a diagnostic route for patients with non-specific but concerning (vague) symptoms who do not fit into a standard Urgent Suspected Cancer (USC) pathway, because of the absence of clear ‘red flag’ symptoms.

Learning outcomes: We explore the following areas:

  • What to tell a patient if you find a lung cancer on the scan and what to do next?
  • What are pulmonary nodules and how to manage them?
  • Looks like an ILD –what next?
  • COPD in 10 minutes

 

Speaker: Dr Daniel Menzies, Consultant in Respiratory MedicineBCUHB.

Facilitated by: Dr Nimish Shah, GP CPD Lead

Recorded: June 2022 Duration: 54 minutes

RDC - Rheumatology

Overview: The roll out of Rapid Diagnosis Centres for patients with vague symptoms where the GP has the ‘gut feeling’ that these patients may have a cancer, is in full force across Wales. The RDC at Swansea Bay is one of two original sites and has been open for almost five years. During this time, the clinic has had a consistent 10% cancer conversion rate as well as other significant non-cancer diagnoses. A sub-set of these diagnoses can be classed as rheumatological in nature.

Learning outcomes: We explore the following areas:

  • The nature of rheumatological conditions that have been seen in the SBUHB RDC
  • Mimics of rheumatological conditions
  • The diagnostic approach to these conditions
  • My experience of working in an RDC

   

   

Speaker: Dr Martin Bevan, Consultant in RheumatologySBUHB.

Facilitated by: Dr Nimish Shah, GP CPD Lead

Recorded: May 2022 Duration: 37 minutes

RDC - Medically Unexplained (Part 1)

Overview: Persistent Physical Symptoms (often referred to as medically unexplained symptoms) are prevalent in primary care and often challenging to address.

Learning Objectives: In this recorded webinar we raise awareness about patients who present with medically unexplained symptoms/persistent physical symptoms for whom investigations are normal and we share good practice. We explore how we can manage these patients better by:

• Recognising a patient with MUS/PPS asap
• Being able to explain the diagnosis to the patient
• Identifying from a range of strategies, how to negotiate a management plan
• Familiarising ourselves with a range of resources for us and the patient

 

 

Speakers: Dr Tania Bugelli, Consultant Psychiatrist in Liaison and Dr Bethan Royles, Specialty Doctor in Liaison from BCUHB

Facilitated by: Dr Nimish Shah, GP CPD Lead

Recorded: May 2023 Duration: 64 minutes

RDC - Medically Unexplained (Part 2)

Overview: Persistent Physical Symptoms (often referred to as medically unexplained symptoms) are prevalent in primary care and often challenging to address. To share methods for engaging and supporting patients with persistent physical symptoms that are acceptable to the patient and sustainable in terms of the level of time and resource required.

Learning Objectives: In this recorded webinar we will share methods for engaging and supporting patients with persistent physical symptoms that are acceptable to the patient and sustainable in terms of the level of time and resource required.

Explore if we can manage these patients better through:

  • Creating a shared understanding of the problems the patient presents
  • Engage the patient in collaborating to address the difficulties
  • Maximise the wellbeing of the patient with practical steps
  • Share external resources that can aid the patient self-management journey

 

Speakers: Dr Rachel Skippon, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, BCUHB

Facilitated by: Dr Nimish Shah, GP CPD Lead

Recorded: July 2023 Duration: 51 minutes

 

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