Two-week referrals for suspected head and neck cancer: two cycles of audit, 10 years apart, in a district general hospital.

Objective:To analyse trends in two-week rule referrals for head and neck cancer over 10 years.Method:Data from two-week referrals received by the Wirral University Hospital NHS Trust between 1 January and 30 June 2012 were compared with similar data from 2002.Results:A total of 357 referrals were received during the 6-month audit period, compared with 149 during the whole of 2002. Cancer pick-up rates were 9 per cent and 5 per cent in the first and second cycles, respectively.Conclusion:The annual number of two-week referrals made to our department increased by over 450 per cent in 10 years, but the resulting cancer pick-up rate fell by nearly 50 per cent. Whilst cancer patients need to be seen quickly, the current system is inefficient in parts. Modifications to the treatment pathway should be considered to improve patient care quality and reduce pressure on ENT departments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]