In a recent consultation, nearly nine out of ten people supported the proposals to give patients the right to maximum waiting times for elective treatment and for urgent cancer referrals, or for the NHS to look for an alternative provider (from independent sources such as totalhealth) if this is not possible. From April 2012, all those eligible aged 40-74 will have the legal right to an NHS Health Check every five years to assess their risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.
Plans have also commenced for patients suspected of having cancer to get key diagnostic tests within one week of seeing a GP. From 2011/12, the initial focus is on providing the tests and results associated with lung, colorectal and ovarian cancer within two weeks and subject to the necessary funding being available, this will then be expanded to include the relevant tests and results for all cancers within one week.
A common name for the large and/or small intestines.
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Abnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body.
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Relating to the heart
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A disorder caused by insufficient or absent production of the hormone insulin by the pancreas, or because the tissues are resistant to the effects.
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One of two bean-shaped organs that are located on either side of the body, below the ribcage. The main role of the kidneys is to filter out waste products from the blood.
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relating to the ovaries
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Relating to the rectum, the lowest part of the bowel leading to the anus.
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Any sudden neurological problem caused by a bleed or a clot in a blood vessel.
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