We are delighted to share that Lymphoma Action, in partnership with Leukaemia UK and Myeloma UK, is working with the NHS England Cancer Programme on the development of a Best Practice Timed Pathway (BPTP) for blood cancers including lymphoma.
Best Practice Timed Pathways (BPTPs)
A BPTP is a structured framework that provides clear guidance to healthcare professionals on the diagnostic tests that should be carried out when someone has been referred to hospital with suspected cancer. It outlines specific timeframes for each step of a patient's journey, from when their cancer is suspected to the start of their treatment.
These pathways are designed to achieve faster diagnosis, more coordinated treatment and care, and better support throughout. They are designed to help meet the 28-day faster diagnosis standard (FDS) for suspected cancer. This means that patients urgently referred by their GP should have cancer ruled out, or receive a diagnosis, within 28 days.
While ten BPTPs are already in place for other cancers, the upcoming pathway will be the first specifically for blood cancers. It will focus on lymphoma, leukaemia and myeloma. We anticipate this new pathway will significantly enhance the care and outcomes for individuals diagnosed with these complex conditions.
What are the benefits of a BPTP?
We think that a blood cancer BPTP will help to:
• Enable faster diagnosis
• Reduce time between referral and treatment
• Increase the rate at which the 28-day FDS is met
• Standardise and improve patient care and experience
• Reduce postcode variation in diagnosis, treatment and care
• Highlight resource and staff issues within the NHS
Lymphoma Action’s role
Together with Leukaemia UK and Myeloma UK, our organisations have a unique understanding of patient and clinician priorities within diagnostic pathways. We have brought together a group of clinical experts and people with lived experience to inform and develop the BPTP framework and guidelines. This includes:
• National and regional cancer policy and health improvement experts across the NHS
• Clinical haematologists and haematology specialist nurses
• GPs and primary care teams
• Radiologists and pathologists
• People with lived experience of blood cancer
• Lymphoma Action, Leukaemia UK and Myeloma UK
The first meeting of this team was held on 2 July. We anticipate that the pathway will be finalised and published at the beginning of next year, ready for implementation.
Best Practice Timed Pathways (BPTPs) for other cancers are already making a real difference for patients. We're proud to be at the forefront of developing the very first BPTP for blood cancers, working with the NHS and our charity partners.
The new pathway won't just make things better for people with lymphoma, such as getting a quicker diagnosis and route to treatment, it will also set up important foundations for future healthcare improvements across the country.
Find out more about:
• NHS England Best Practice Timed Pathways
• Leukaemia UK
• Myeloma UK