Tech to help patients get a faster diagnosis

MILLIONS of cancer patients will get a faster diagnosis with new technology to be rolled out across the NHS, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has said.

- ELLIE CRABBE

The tool, called Cancer 360, brings cancer patients' data into one central system, so clinicians can prioritise those most in need and see patients quicker, the DHSC said.

It moves existing analogue systems to a digital one, so staff will not have to gather important information about each cancer patient from different spreadsheets, emails, and records.

Dr Vin Diwakar, NHS national clinical transformation director, said: "Every cancer patient deserves swift, effective care, and our new Cancer 360 solution harnesses data to ensure exactly that. By giving clinicians a comprehensive view of patient pathways, we can identify and address delays immediately.

"The NHS federated data platform (FDP) is already showing its value in transforming cancer care, helping our hard-working staff deliver better outcomes while reducing administrative burden. As Cancer 360 expands to more hospitals nationwide, I'm confident we'll see meaningful improvements in both treatment times and patient experience."