UP TO a third of GPs are risking legal action from patients because they fail to adhere to guidelines when making cancer referrals.
A survey of 200 doctors found that many were ignoring guidance set by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
Pulse (June 15) says that of the GPs surveyed, only 70 per cent agreed with NICE on the symptoms that would warrant urgent referral for investigation of possible gastrointestinal cancer. Even fewer would refer women with signs of possible gynaecological cancer.
Dr Tim Ringrose, who undertook the survey, says: “Not recognising symptoms can have catastrophic consequences.” He adds: “The difficulty is doctors are very busy — they’re aware of the guidelines coming out but they don’t find them accessible.”
But the Medical Defence Union says that being busy is no excuse. “Ignorance would be a poor defence, but a reasoned and justifiable decision may be acceptable,” one of its advisers says.
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But a report in GP (June 16) suggests that family doctors are being caught between a rock and a hard place. Primary care trusts (PCTs) are trying to make GPs cut the number of referrals they make by up to 40 per cent.
Some PCTs have reportedly listed procedures that will no longer be funded as they strive to cut costs. Although the British Medical Association says that it is unaware of widespread attempts to cut referrals, it says that no GPs should be compelled not to refer when they think it is necessary.