Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDT)

Multidisciplinary (MDT) teams and rapid access (RA).

Rapid access (RA) referral pathway was introduced so that a specialist can assess any patient with symptoms that might indicate cancer as quickly as possible. An appointment via telephone, face to face or an investigation is most likely to be offered within 7 days of referral, but within 14 days of referral. GPS diagnose and treat many illnesses, however on occasions they need to arrange for you to be assessed by a hospital doctor who specialises in your problem. This could be for a number of reasons:

• Your GP feels your symptoms or test results require urgent investigation
• Treatment your GP has prescribed has not been effective

Once you have been referred on a RA pathway your care will be coordinated by a team of cancer care navigators and MDT.

The role of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) within cancer care is to meet as a group weekly to discuss each patient utilising all expertise of the specialist practitioners. By working as a team, the different aspects of treatment and services in the best interests of the patient are considered from all specialists and services involved in the patients care. This can then be communicated more clearly with patients and families. The MDT coordinator organises the MDT meeting, tracks cancer referrals and ensures patients are on track, according to the rapid access referral and referral to treat protocols. They are central to the care of cancer patients through the coordination and sharing of data on a wider level.

Below you will see all the site-specific MDTS and the days the meetings are held within Dudley group of hospitals. The cancer care navigators, MDT teams and specialist teams will advise when your case is going to be discussed and what will happen next.