Table A2 NICE guideline referral categories based on clinical presentation

From: Impact of investigations in general practice on timeliness of referral for patients subsequently diagnosed with cancer: analysis of national primary care audit data

Mandated referral under NICE guidelines (or good clinical practice)

Clear evidence for mandated urgent referral as per NICE CG27

 

Good clinical medicine would mandate urgent referral

Possible referral under NICE guidelines

Possible mandated urgent referral as per NICE CG27—but duration dependent

 

Possible mandated urgent referral as per NICE CG27—but severity dependent

 

Possible mandated urgent referral as per NICE CG27—but location dependent

 

Possible mandated urgent referral as per NICE CG27—but dependent upon sense of abnormality

 

Possible mandated urgent referral as per NICE CG27—other

Mandated investigation under NICE guidelines

Clear evidence of mandated investigation as per NICE CG27

Possible investigation under NICE guidelines

Possible mandated investigation as per NICE CG27—but duration dependent

 

Possible mandated investigation as per NICE CG27—but severity dependent

 

Possible mandated investigation as per NICE CG27—but location dependent

 

Possible mandated investigation as per NICE CG27—but dependent upon sense of abnormality

 

Possible mandated investigation as per NICE CG27—other

No action under NICE guidelines

No mandated action from NICE CG27

  1. Abbreviation: NICE=National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
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