RAG clinical prioritisation for GP direct-access imaging referrals

The NCL imaging departments have agreed on a set of standardised imaging prioritisation categories that are to be applied to all future referrals. These must be applied whether that GP is making a referral to the independent sector or NHS service providers. 

GPs can refer direct to hospitals for urgent diagnostics and are encouraged to consider this instead of 2WW. 

GP direct-access imaging services: Suspected cancer referrals move to single NCL referral form

GPs can request the following direct-access investigations for suspected cancer at any provider trust using a single referral form.

Providers

• University College London Hospitals
• Royal Free London
• North Middlesex University Hospital
• Whittington Health

Imaging modalities

• Abdominal USS (Suspected Gall bladder or Liver Cancer) 
• MRI/(CT if MR contraindicated e.g. pacemaker) (Suspected Brain and CNS Cancer)
• CT abdomen (Suspected Pancreatic Cancer)
• CXR (Suspected Lung Cancer)
• Pelvic USS (Suspected Endometrial Cancer) (Royal Free, North Middlesex, Whittington Hospital only. For Gynae USS at UCLH please use the 2WW pathway)
• Testicular USS (Suspected Testicular Cancer)

How to refer

To use these services you must use the EMIS form Urgent Direct Access Imaging Request Form (adult and paed) - Suspected Cancer - NCL FORM

Where to find the form

In local EMIS global document library systems as follows:

Barnet: BAR Global Documents > Diagnostics (BAR Global) 
Enfield: ENF Global Documents > Radiology (X-Rays/Ultrasound)  
Haringey: HAR Global Documents > Imaging 
Islington: ISL Global Documents > Imaging  

Camden: Find the form on the Camden EMIS Forms page.