The PROSTAD team on stage as they accept the award for NHS Wales Efficient Care.
Swansea University’s work to help improve the diagnosis of prostate cancer has been recognised at this year’s NHS Wales Awards.
The University has collaborated with Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) and Cancer Research UK's TET Programme to develop a novel prostate cancer rapid diagnosis pathway (PROSTAD) to tackle delays in diagnosing prostate cancer.
The dedicated cancer pathway follows the patient journey, improves patient communication and identifies inefficiencies.
Since its introduction, it has had a positive impact on reducing waiting times and on the experience of patients and staff:
- GP referral to MRI time has decreased from 22 days to 14 days.
- MRI reporting time has been reduced from 8 days to 1 day.
- Clinical review and biopsy decisions are received 1 day after MRI.
- Patients preferred receiving MRI results and discussing biopsy requirements via telephone.
- Improvements provide faster access to radiological investigation and biopsy decisions.
- Positive patient feedback highlights the importance of timely diagnosis.
- Urology staff reported improved workflow efficiencies.
The academic support and resources from Swansea University and Cancer Research UK were pivotal in this work, as was the involvement of healthcare professionals and patient advocacy groups.
Professor Nick Rich, Professor of Operations Management at Swansea University School of Management, said: “The PROSTAD project clearly demonstrates the benefits that derive from our university health board partnership and how combining our resources delivers a positive impact.
“The project has united research from multiple Swansea University disciplines, including the Medical School, supported “future-thinking” clinical teams, and shown the value of Cancer Research UK’s investments to deliver key benefits for patients, their loved ones and professionals within and beyond our region.”
Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in the UK, and delays in diagnosis can negatively impact patient outcomes and quality of life. Currently, diagnostic waiting times in Wales exceed the 28-day recommended timeline.
Mr Yeung Ng, Consultant Urologist HDUHB and Clinical Project Lead PROSTAD, said: “This has been a very successful collaboration which has reduced the time from referral to diagnosis of prostate cancer by 28 days for our patients in Hywel Dda. Lessons learnt will be shared across other cancer pathways both within the health board and on a national basis.
“I am very grateful to our whole clinical and research team and to our patients for making this project a success.”
The PROSTAD pathway improvement initiative has been recognised in the Efficient Care category of the 2024 NHS Wales Awards, sponsored by the Life Sciences Hub Wales.