DENHOLME Medical Practice is among a group of GP surgeries across Bradford district that has won funding to pilot a new referral system for patients suffering from symptoms linked to a type of cancer.

The Westcliffe Group of practices, part of the NHS Bradford Districts Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), has developed an innovative new way of fast-tracking patients for tests and diagnosis if they have any problems associated with upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, which can affect the oesophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, gall bladder or bile ducts.

The Health Foundation – an independent healthcare charity – has selected the group as one of 20 care projects across the UK, and just two in Yorkshire, to benefit from its £1.5 million Innovating for Improvement programme.

It will receive £75,000, to be split between the practices and Oberoi Consulting, its IT partner for the project. The online system could be trialled with up to 50,000 registered patients and, if successful, could be rolled out across Bradford district and other CCG areas.

Patients will be able to use the system to be referred directly for tests or to a specialist clinic, without waiting to get a GP appointment first. By answering a series of questions they will be triaged electronically, either being asked to go for tests, such as an endoscopy or ultrasound scan, and having a choice of which clinic to attend, or to see their GP for an appointment.

Dr Pam Rawal, who has led the team developing the online referral form, said: "We are always looking at ways to improve patient care, especially for people who may have symptoms of cancer.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to change how we can offer healthcare services that will help us beat cancer through earlier diagnosis."