PCL has been working in partnership with University Hospitals Leicester, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board and the East Midlands Cancer Alliance to develop and deliver an innovative new breast pain clinic, which aims to provide both patients and the healthcare system with benefits and efficiencies.
This ground-breaking pathway is the first of it’s kind in the UK and aims to tackle some of the issues which exist around the diagnosis and treatment of breast pain. The PCL Community Breast Pain Clinic (CBPC) is delivered from three locations across the region and is being run as a three year pilot program.
Breast pain alone does not normally require an urgent two week wait referral into the hospital-based Breast Cancer Diagnostic Clinic. However, until the introduction of the CBPC there has been no alternative route for patients. This has caused unnecessary anxiety and diagnostic testing for patients whilst also causing additional burden to the secondary care breast cancer clinic.
The CBPC utilises the skills of a GP with a Special interest (GPSI) in breast issues. Examination of the patient, along with an assessment of their family history, determines the most appropriate course of action for the patient.
Dr Sarah Maxted is a local GPSI delivering this service to patients across the LLR region. She has experienced first-hand the benefits the new clinic delivers. “The breast pain service is invaluable to clinicians in primary care. It provides a rapid access second opinion, avoiding the medicalisation of breast pain which occurs when these patients are seen inappropriately in secondary care.”
So far, patient feedback for the CBPC has been outstanding, with 97% of patients stating that they would recommend it. Some of the positive comments received are: “Fantastic service, and easier than going to hospital.” “Left the clinic feeling totally reassured and fully informed”. “The doctor was brilliant with me and so reassuring. She was very thorough and made my anxiety go away almost immediately”.
PCL has participated in a national evaluation to assess the impact on patients and the healthcare system. A business case is currently being developed for ongoing commissioning once the pilot comes to a close.
The national evaluation uses patient feedback, anonymised patient care data and cost to assess the effectiveness and cost efficiency of the service. The evaluation found that CBPCs offer significant benefits to both patients and the system. Over the three years the pilot has been running in LLR, the CPBC has saved the system an estimated £280,000. In addition, the evaluation found the service to be entirely safe, with no evidence of delays to care, misdiagnosis or cancers missed.
Dr Maxted agrees that these clinics are the way forward, “The evidence shows it is cost effective but importantly, a safe service with no missed cancers.”
PCL is proud to have been involved in this pilot. We are delighted that our service has improved the patient experience and generated efficiencies for the system. Both of these achievements are at the heart of our company’s mission: the right care at the right time, in the right place.