PATIENTS at risk of cancer are missing ‘vital’ appointments and putting themselves at risk.
In the last month 50 patients in South Warwickshire who had urgent referrals for suspected cancer did not attend their appointment.
The appointments are set up for patients to be seen quickly by specialists depending on the type of cancer. They then either rule out or start treatment for the disease.
The chair of South Warwickshire CCG, Dr David Spraggett, is urging people to not miss their appointments.
He said: “It’s vital that patients keep to their appointments so that their diagnosis and care can begin as early as is possible. “We want to avoid delays and are very keen to ensure that patients understand the importance of the appointments that they are given, as detection at an early stage can significantly increase survival rates for patients.
“Wherever possible, we need patients to keep to the scheduled appointment at one of our specialist clinics.
“All of these clinics are rapid access and patients are always offered appointments within 14 days of receipt of a referral from their GP.
“If for any reason patients are unable to attend at their allocated time they should call their assigned clinic as soon as possible to arrange an alternative appointment.”
