Lung Optimal Pathway Referral
Date issued: April 2022
Review date: April 2024
Ref: A-371 v3
PDF: Lung optimal pathway referral final April 2022 v3.pdf [pdf] 164KB
You have been referred for a chest X-ray on the Derriford National Optimal Lung Cancer Care Pathway. Whilst this does not mean that you have lung cancer, the symptoms and history you have reported to your GP are suspicious enough to warrant “fast tracking”. This will involve:
The lung pathway navigator will call you and to go through the process.
1. A chest X-ray (between 9am and 12-noon Monday to Friday) in X-Ray West, Level 6, Derriford Hospital. You are encouraged to have your chest x-ray as soon as possible, ideally the next morning after you have been referred by your GP.
Please note: These are open access chest X-ray slots created to avoid delays. This means that you do not need an appointment, but you do need to arrive between these times only. If you arrive after this time, there will not be an available slot, and we will ask you to return the following morning.
2. When you arrive in the X-Ray Department, confirm your contact details so we can let you know when your CT scan appointment is. You may have a CT scan that afternoon depending on availability.
3. When you are booked for your CT scan the pathway navigator will explain the next steps and give you any further Information you need. The Navigator will ask you to remain nil by mouth of food 4 hrs before the CT and to drink at least 1pint of clear fluids leading up to the CT. She will also ask you to attend for a blood test if you haven’t already.
When you attend X-Ray West for your CT scan, you will be asked to turn up 30 minutes before your slotted time. In most cases a cannula will be inserted into a vein in your arm so that an injection (dye) can be given to enhance the CT images. You will be asked to get changed. Avoid wearing any jewellery (especially necklaces) to the appointment, as you will be asked to remove them. The CT scan itself will last about 20mins.
4. You will be able to go home after the CT scan once the cannula has been removed.
The pathway navigator will phone you the following day with a decision on whether you need an appointment in the Chest Clinic the following day. At this point you may be asked to follow specific instructions for further investigations to also take place on that day.
