Somerset's unique womb cancer self-referral service

Christine Rickets was seen by the new service within four days of referring herself

Patients concerned they may have womb cancer are being seen quicker thanks to a new self-referral service.

Launched in September, the Bleeding After Menopause Service run by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust means patients no longer need to see a GP in the first instance.

Since it was launched, the trust said the average wait for an appointment has decreased from 63 days to four.

Service user Christine Rickets said the process had given her "reassurance".

The 64-year-old said the "speed" of the service had helped her.

"When you come for your first referral, when you have a scan, you are seen by a specialist nurse and she is able to give you much more information and, in my case, thankfully some reassurance."

Womb cancer is one of the most common cancers that affects older women who have been through the menopause.

Traditionally patients would contact their GP first if they have concerns about bleeding or unusual discharges.

The service means those concerned about womb cancer symptoms, do not have to go to their GP in the first instance

Government targets say patients with symptoms should be diagnosed within 28 days but nationally there's been a real problem in meeting this.

In 2023 in Somerset it was as low as 40% but since the self-referral service started in September, the target has been met.

The service is open to women who are not currently on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or those who have stopped taking it at least six weeks ago.

'Fill in a form'

Self-referrals can be made online or by calling up the service, with then appointments being made available at seven centres across the county, including Bridgwater, Minehead, South Petherton and Glastonbury.

There are also clinics in Wellington, Wincanton and Yeovil.

Ms Rickets, who was seen at the new clinic in Bridgwater four days after applying online, said: "It's the not knowing, in so many of these medical cases.

"You know nine out of 10, cases are benign but at two o' clock in the morning that doesn't help when you are worrying," she added.

Ms Rickets said before the service started, she had to wait four weeks to have polyps removed, after going to her GP.

David Milliken said the service has been so successful, other departments are considering using the same model

Heather Fryer, a specialist nurse practitioner who works on the service, said: "If you have had any unexplained bleeding or discharge we want you to be filling in this form."

Mr David Milliken, the consultant in charge of the service said if women do not meet the criteria " we can give them some reassurance, then we redirect them back to a GP".

However, if they do meet it, the information goes straight through to their cancer hub in the hospital.

The hospital then contact the patient with an appointment, normally within four days.

Mr Milliken said the service has been so successful, other specialities such as urology are now considering adopting the same model.