Hundreds of thousands of patients can diagnose heart and respiratory problems earlier thanks to accelerated testing.
The NHS has announced plans to speed up the detection of serious health problems by allowing GPs to send their patients directly for check-ups.
This includes tests for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as cardiovascular disease and heart failure.
Up to one million patients could benefit from the accelerated access, reducing the need for specialist consultations and expediting potentially life-saving treatments and medications for patients, officials said.
The additional test route could also help relieve pressure during the busier winter months when demand is highest and respiratory illnesses are more common.
Up to one million patients could benefit from the accelerated access, reducing the need for a specialist consultation and expediting potentially life-saving treatments and medications for patients, officials said
The initiative, which already exists for cancer, has accelerated access to testing for nearly 80,000 people who may not meet the guidance threshold for an urgent cancer referral.
GPs will be able to refer patients with symptoms of heart and breathing problems for various check-ups at their local hospital or local community diagnostic centre, which will provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ for scans and tests.
In addition to diagnostic checks, one-stop shops can provide breath tests for asthma, blood tests to identify people at high risk for heart failure, and spirometry tests that can help diagnose lung conditions, including COPD.
By freeing up time for consultants, the move also has the potential to help NHS staff continue to reduce the inevitably accumulated covid backlogs.
Dr. Vin Diwakar, medical director for secondary care and transformation at NHS England, said: ‘We know how important it is to diagnose people with conditions such as heart failure, COPD and asthma early so that they can get the treatment they need to manage their condition. to master. properly, and to prevent more serious conditions or illnesses from developing.
“Our plans to improve direct access to GPs will enable thousands more to receive a vital diagnosis sooner, and by taking advantage of the additional capacity provided by more than a hundred community diagnostic centers offering a ‘one-stop- shop’ for community testing, patients can benefit from convenient triage and testing near their home – and, most importantly, avoid hospitalization or travel to A&E.
NHS staff are already making significant progress in clearing the Covid backlogs, and this efficient way of testing could potentially help us reduce that even further.
“As always, if people are concerned they may have symptoms of asthma or other respiratory symptoms such as persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, please get checked, especially before the winter months.”
Sarah MacFadyen, head of policy and external affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, added: ‘We know that too many people with lung conditions, especially those experiencing higher levels of deprivation, wait too long to get a diagnosis and the support they need.
“So these measures to speed up diagnosis and improve access to testing are a welcome step forward.”
It comes as NHS officials have also announced the creation of a one-stop-shop for hospitals in England to find companies that can help them move medically fit patients from hospital beds.
The 12 companies listed can help with a number of services, including patient discharge, while some can also help find appropriate out-of-hospital care for patients.