2WW v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Two Week Wait (2WW) study - an investigation of patient non-attendance at urgent referral appointments for suspected cancer.
IRAS ID
201398
Contact name
Peter Knapp
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of York
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Since 2000, NHS patients with suspected cancer have been guaranteed to see a hospital specialist within two weeks of the GP requesting an urgent referral - a Two Week Wait (2WW) appointment. This policy intended to shorten time to diagnosis and treatment, and ultimately improve survival rates. In 2014, there were over 22,000 referrals in Leeds, approximately 10% resulted in a cancer diagnosis. However, a significant minority of patients are not seen within two weeks, largely due to patients not attending, cancelling or postponing the appointment. In 2012-2013, 16.5% of 2WW referred patients in the West Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group were not seen in two weeks. This study aims to investigate the reasons for non-attendance and identify interventions to improve timely access to urgent care.
This study will be completed in five phases:
Phase 1 - Categorisation of patients not seen within two weeks of referral drawing on Leeds NHS Hospital Trust data for approximately 6,000 patients in 2014 and 2015.
Phase 2 - Analyse variation in factors between patients who postpone or cancel their appointment, and those who do attend, to identify predictors of non-attendance. This will use cross-sectional analyses within the same data set as Phase 1.
Phase 3 - Compare rates of cancer diagnosis (and cancer stage at diagnosis) in attending patients with those who postpone, cancel or do not attend to assess the significance of non-attendance. Health outcome data for patients referred in 2009 will be analysed 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 years later and 1 year later for patients referred in 2014. This data will be compared to similar data from attending patients.
Phase 4 – Explore the views of patients and GPs as to why patients do not attend 2WW appointments and interventions to improve attendance.
Phase 5 – Gain consensus from GP and patient stakeholder groups on the top 3 proposed interventions to improve attendance rates.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NE/0146
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion