HASLEMERE GPs within Waverley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are actively participating in the National Cancer Diagnosis Audit, a partnership project led by Cancer Research UK, the Royal College of General Practitioners and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The completion date for the audit is scheduled for Friday, January 6, and the findings will inform service improvements, such as earlier diagnosis and improved cancer outcomes.

Debbie Bell, of Cancer Research UK (Surrey), said: “GPs and patients play a vital role in diagnosing cancer early. Waverley CCG has provided crucial support with this work.

“Feedback from the audit will help shape future working.”

The audit will look at data relating to patients diagnosed with cancer in 2014 to help understand patterns of cancer diagnosis for all cancer types, across the UK prior to the 2015 NICE guidelines for suspected cancer referral.

Information will be collected from the moment a patient first presents with symptoms, through to diagnosis, including: consultations, key dates, investigations, symptoms and referrals. Additional factors include ethnicity, barriers to communication, difficulties accessing a GP surgery and other health conditions.

Dr Sian Jones, governing body GP and clinical lead for cancer and end-of-life care said: “Guildford and Waverley CCG has the sixth highest percentage of GP practices nationally participating in the National Cancer Diagnosis Audit.

“This will have a positive impact for our patients and will help to improve early diagnosis.”

Guildford and Waverley CCG hopes progress will be made in improving one-year survival rates by delivering a year-on-year improvement in the proportion of cancers diagnosed at stage one and stage two, and to a reduction in the proportion of cancers diagnosed following an emergency admission.