Rapid Diagnostic Centres - Evaluation partner

The Rapid Diagnostic Centres (RDCs) programme is a new programme of work in England which will contribute to the ambition of the NHS Long Term Plan to improve earlier and faster diagnosis for those diagnosed with cancer. In time, RDCs will offer: - Access to a diagnostic pathway for all patients with symptoms that could indicate cancer and - A personalised, accurate and rapid diagnosis of patients' symptoms by integrating existing diagnostic provision and utilising networked clinical expertise and information locally.

The RDC vision will be achieved by taking a phased approach to implementation. In 2019/20, RDCs will develop services for cohorts of patients with non-specific symptoms and for patients with site-specific symptoms where current two week wait, or 62-day pathways have been identified as underperforming. Whilst RDCs will be established for patients with symptoms that could indicate cancer, most patients seen by an RDC will not have cancer.