A new one-stop service introduced at the Nightingale Hospital Exeter is helping patients with suspected sarcoma get a diagnosis more quickly and with less visits to hospital.

Sarcoma is a rare type of malignant (cancerous) tumour that develops in bone and connective tissue and it can take up to three diagnostic appointments to reach a diagnosis. Previously patients would have had to attend hospital multiple times before they got their diagnosis but this innovative new sarcoma pathway at the Nightingale Hospital benefits from the diagnostic services located on site.

Patients now benefit from access to specialist diagnostic, surgical and cancer nurse support services all in one day. In the single visit they undergo an ultrasound scan, MRI and/or a CT scan and guided biopsy on the same day as surgeon's clinic appointment. Where surgery is needed, patients are offered a date for surgery on the same day with all information provided regarding their admission.

This has reduced the number of individual hospital visits for patients, in some cases appointments have gone from four to only one. 

Woan-Yi Chan, Royal Devon Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Sarcoma Surgeon said “I’m really pleased to see the teamwork between sarcoma radiologists, surgeons and supporting colleagues has developed a more efficient pathway for both new and follow up sarcoma patients. This service has cut the time from referral to diagnosis from an average of 40 days to 12 days. This means we can start treatment more quickly if patients do have cancer and we can provide peace of mind for those patients who don’t have cancer.”

Over 800 patients have already been seen through this service and almost all patients who needed an MRI as part of their appointment were able to have it as a ‘one-stop’ service, ensuring a much-improved patient experience.

This reduction in visits and wait time for individual patients is also positively impacting wait times across the Peninsular for those with suspected sarcoma.

Rahul Anaspure, Royal Devon Consultant MSK Radiologist said: “The one-stop service is the only one of its kind in the Southwest and we’re incredibly proud of the difference it is making. Colleagues enjoy the patient centred way of working, being able to perform all the necessary steps in the patient's diagnostic journey on the same day and under one roof.”

The service is based at the new Buttercup unit that opened in 2024. The Buttercup unit completed the conversion of the Nightingale from a vacant COVID-19 hospital into an elective care hub that is reducing waiting lists through innovation and outstanding patient care.

Sam Higginson, Royal Devon Chief Executive Officer said, “The Nightingale Hospital Exeter is helping us reduce waiting times for patients across Devon and beyond. The Sarcoma Service at the Nightingale Hospital can give patients the tests they need in one visit on one day instead of them waiting more than a month to find out their diagnosis. The co-location of the Devon Diagnostic Centre makes services like this possible.”

Patient feedback on the one-stop service has been overwhelmingly positive with one patient commenting: “I needed a biopsy and the member of staff did this whilst I was here to save a further journey. I was very impressed with the kindness and diligence of all staff.”