Most patients referred to us will not have cancer; it is our aim to rule this out ASAP.
The Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (RCDS) is a service designed to speed up investigations for patients with a range of symptoms which could be cancer. The primary goal is to rule out cancer quickly, reduce uncertainty, and ensure that anyone who does need further care is identified and treated without delay.
You will usually have had a physical examination and have had bloods taken in advance of your referral to the service. It’s important that you let your GP or ANP know if you’re going to be unavailable for any period after the referral (for example, if you’re going on holiday) as your appointments with the RCDS will usually be made quickly.
The video below provides a helpful idea of what the experience of being seen by an RCDS usually involves.
How am I referred to RCDS?
If your GP or ANP notices changes in your body that require further investigation, they will refer you to the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (RCDS). This is a fast-track clinic where a team will assess your symptoms and co-ordinate appropriate investigations to rule out cancer.
How will we contact you?
Once your referral is received, a member of the RCDS team will call you to ask a few questions and arrange any necessary tests and a clinic appointment.
- Please ensure your GP practice has your most up-to-date contact details.
- Our call may come from an unknown number or an 0800 number, so if you’re expecting a call from us, please answer to avoid delays.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services are new fast-track diagnostic clinics for people with non-specific symptoms (this could include things like new unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, persistent nausea, severe fatigue, or some types of unexplained pain). Symptoms like these can sometimes be an indication of cancer so we want to be able to rule this out as quickly as possible.
You have been referred to the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service because your GP or ANP wants your symptoms investigated as quickly as possible to rule out cancer and give you peace of mind.
The Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (RCDS) is set up to provide rapid access to diagnostics in order to rule out cancer as soon as possible. You might feel like your time with the RCDS goes quickly, but this is entirely normal for us.
You will receive a phone call from a member of the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service team within a few working days of your referral, so please make sure that the health professional referring you has your most up to date contact information. The number might be unknown or show as an 0800 number so if you are expecting a call from us please don’t ignore it.
A member of the RCDS team will ask questions to ensure you receive the best possible care and support as well as the appropriate tests and investigations. For most of our patients this will be a CT scan.
If you have been accepted onto the RCDS caseload following referral by your practice, you can contact the team by phone at 01324 566293 or email fv.fvrcds@nhs.scot.
Not usually as your appointment will normally happen within just a few days of your visit to the GP practice and there would not be enough time for a letter to be posted to you. One of the team will telephone you with your appointment details so please ensure that the GP practice has the correct telephone number. If, for any reason, you are not able to attend your appointment please let us know by phone on
01324 566293 or email
fv.fvrcds@nhs.scot.
A member of the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (RCDS) team will keep you informed about each step of your journey with the RCDS. Once you’ve completed your time with us we will also write to you and your GP with a summary of your outcome.
A member of the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (RCDS) team will contact you to arrange an appointment with the doctor to discuss your results.
Please always let us know if you can’t attend your appointment, as soon as possible, so that someone else can use it. You can phone
01324 566293 or email
fv.fvrcds@nhs.scot.
Prehabilitation is the term used when patients undertake activities or lifestyle changes which improve their physical and mental health to be able to manage more intensive treatment options, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. Even if you are not found to have a cancer during your journey with the RCDS the principles of prehabilitation will have a positive impact on your life. Please see our
dedicated page on prehabilitation to find out more.
More information about identifying, treating and managing cancer conditions can be found on NHS Inform.
NHS Inform
