Consultancy work in relation to the evaluation of the all-Wales Rapid Diagnosis Clinics Programme

NHS Procurement Wales, on behalf of the Wales Cancer Network, wishes to invite proposals for the evaluation of the all-Wales Rapid Diagnosis Clinics (RDC) programme.

Evaluation is an integral part of the work we do within the Wales Cancer Network, and we use findings to facilitate learning, drive service improvement, inform future programme development, and guide decision-making. We are committed to assessing whether we have achieved our objectives and the processes which led to success (or not).

The RDC programme is a national initiative supporting Health Boards in Wales to provide General Practitioners (GPs) with a referral pathway and RDC to investigate vague symptoms that may be caused by cancer. The programme commenced in December 2020 and is due to complete in March 2023. A Rapid Diagnosis Clinic (RDC) provides a diagnostic route for patients with non-specific but concerning (vague) symptoms who do not fit into a standard Suspected Cancer Pathway, because of the absence of clear ‘red flag’ symptoms. RDCs aims to:

• Support earlier diagnosis for patients with vague, non-specific symptoms that could be cancer
• Reduce cancer diagnoses via emergency presentations
• Improve overall patient health outcomes by detecting cancer earlier
• Improve patient and GP experience
• Identify and manage other serious non-malignant disease or those at risk of developing serious illness

The aim of the evaluation is to provide an independent assessment of the RDC programme and deliverables to:

• communicate the impact, value and learning
• inform Health Board sustainability plans for RDCs across Wales
• inform future developments and programme approaches within the Wales Cancer Network