Improving Breast Cancer Diagnosis Speed

Overview

A well-known University Trust in the Midlands was facing challenges in meeting the national 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS) for breast cancer.

The Trust was performing at 82%, which was below the desired benchmark, and needed a strategic intervention to enhance its diagnostic capabilities and improve patient outcomes. 

To address this challenge, KPI Health implemented weekend one-stop breast clinics at the Trust. These clinics were designed to increase diagnostic capacity and reduce waiting times, thereby aligning with the 28-day FDS requirements. 

By operating on weekends, KPI Health was able to replicate the Trust’s existing weekday diagnostic services, ensuring a seamless extension of care. 

The weekend clinics led to a substantial increase in the Trust’s FDS performance, raising it from 82% to consistently above 97%, a 15% improvement.  This enhancement ensured that patients received faster access to diagnostic services, thereby reducing anxiety and enabling quicker treatment decisions.