Offer of support discussion (within three months of diagnosis)

Patients should be given the opportunity for a discussion and informed of support available, within three months of diagnosis. Developing protocols forms part of the care standards which practices will evidence to the CQC, particularly regarding support for vulnerable patient groups.

Practices can develop protocols for making these offers, drawing on these available resources:

• There is a NCL letter template for making the 3-month support offer: NCL Global Documents > URGENT SUSPECTED CANCER (Formally 2WW) > Cancer Administration Letters/Forms > Cancer Diagnosis Support Letter – NCL.
• An infographic is available to help primary care staff to access and share the right information and support with patients at different stages:

Cancer Care Review using a structured template (within 12 months of diagnosis)

A Cancer Care Review (CCR) is a discussion about a patient’s experience of cancer, delivered by a health or social care professional, carried out within twelve months of a patient’s diagnosis. The review can be carried out by primary care professionals with the right training (including GPs, nurses, or other allied health professionals). The following materials can support practices to carry out this work: 

• The NCL Patient Support Journey infographic includes information and resources to promote to patients as part of these discussions. 
• The Macmillan website includes information on Cancer Care Reviews, as well as resources such as templates to use. 
• Your cancer pathway support guide is a comprehensive support guide for people who are referred on a suspected cancer pathway or who have been diagnosed with cancer

Useful resource: