Colposcopy Clinic Booking Clarification
NHSCSP
National Office has clarified that where a GP refers a patient
for colposcopy as a first outpatient appointment, "choose
and book" would apply. However, there is no requirement
that colposcopy referrals following cervical cytology must
go via a patient's GP.
Direct
referral is defined as referral directly from the pathology
laboratory to colposcopy. It is a specialist referral and
as such "choose and book" is not applicable. Direct
referral has a number of advantages including the speeding
up of the patient journey and facilitating better management
of clinics thus reducing waiting lists. Where direct referral
is used the patient must be given clear instructions on how
the appointment may be easily changed if it is not convenient.
The
move to direct referral is encouraged by the NHSCSP and supported
by the "choice" and "cancer" teams at
the Department of Health. Many parts of the country are introducing
this system as a service improvement for both patients and
clinicians.
