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Effect of a multidisciplinary lung investigation day on a rapid access lung cancer service

¹ West Midlands rotational training programme, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK
² Department of Respiratory Medicine, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
³ Radiology Department, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
⁴ Department of Pathology, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr A B Rajasekaran
1 Arundel Crescent, Solihull B92 8RQ, UK; thamarai2000@yahoo.co.uk

Submitted 18 September 2005
Accepted 16 January 2006

Abbreviations: RAC, rapic access clinic; MDT, multidisciplinary team; HD, histological diagnosis; CT, computed tomography; LID, lung investigation day; FB, flexible bronchoscopy

Keywords: lung investigation day; lung cancer

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Lung cancer is the commonest fatal malignant disease worldwide causing more than 37 000 deaths in the UK per annum.¹ The five year survival rate of 5% in the UK compares poorly with rates of up to 14% in some European countries.² Serious concerns have also been raised about inequalities in patient access to oncology services related to the geographical location and age of the patients.^3–6 The Calmann-Hine Committee report recommended a review of lung cancer services with increased emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach to care.⁷ Initial reports show that such multiprofessional teamwork improves coordination and patient support and reduces delays in diagnosis and treatment.⁸ In the British Thoracic Society (BTS) recommendations to respiratory physicians for organising the care of patients with lung cancer, emphasis was placed on reducing the delay in arranging investigations and the necessary treatment.⁹ In the new NHS Cancer Plan,¹⁰ the Department of Health has recommended . . . [Full text of this article]