Lung cancer self-referral trial extended

Paula Ireland used the online form to request an x-ray for her symptoms

A scheme which allows patients to self-refer for a lung cancer X-ray is being extended after a successful trial.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust said the service has been rolled out in the south of the county after being trialled in Bridgwater.

Patients who feel like they are displaying symptoms of the disease can use an online form to request an X-ray without having to book a GP appointment.

Paula Ireland, from near Bridgwater, used the service and said the whole process from referral to diagnosis "took a couple of weeks".

Dr Martha Manning said the scheme has already found cancers in those who have referred themselves

Mrs Ireland said: "I just walked in, had it done, she explained everything and then within a few days I had my results back, so I couldn't ask for any more really."

She said her results came back clear.

Potential lung cancer symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent cough or unexplained weight loss.

As well as Bridgwater, patients at GPs in Chard, Langport and Ilminster are also able to use the service.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust said it hoped to launch the scheme in the rest of the county in the next six months.

Dr Martha Manning, an earlier cancer diagnosis GP in Somerset, said out of 38 referrals under the scheme they had found two cases of cancer, showing the system is working.

She added: "We know in the UK we lag behind other countries in terms of cancer diagnosis often particularly lung cancer presents late in stage three or four.

"The NHS long-term plan really is to bring that earlier cancer diagnosis forward into stage one and two," she said.