e-Referral Service Selection:

• Specialty: Surgery – 2WW
• Clinic type: 2WW Breast
• Service: DRSS-Western-2WW Breast - Devon CCG-15N

• Many e-RS referrals are vetted by telephone consultation to minimise unnecessary visits to Derriford Hospital and provide more timely advice and intervention for some.

• There is limited availability of clinic appointments and it is not always possible to make the 2WW deadline due to high demand and service challenges

• Limited surgical capacity remains, with COVID-19 adapted pathways, limited to those with active cancer diagnoses. Some pathways include a lower threshold for neoadjuvant treatments where clinically appropriate (non-surgical pathways initially).

Breast Pain: Follow guidance supplied on Formulary and Referrals website

Standard pathway routes, telephone triage as above

All new routine referrals will be clinically triaged and will either be added to a waiting list or, if appropriate, A&G will be given.

Please ensure that a practice-based system is in place to check daily for returning referrals with A&G.

Prior to making a routine referral, please ensure that any appropriate Policy or CRG has been reviewed and that all the suggested investigations and management options have been considered.

Breast Care Nurses phone number: 01752 431898

All referrals vetted, pending local introduction of Advice and Guidance service.

Patients with breast cancer on chemotherapy should seek specific advice regarding self-isolation during their treatment from the advice line number above or their oncology team

If concerned about new symptoms of a lump, distortion of the breast or bloody discharge, seek advice from GP who will refer. Expect telephone consultation and timely appointment if required following that call.

Family history referrals are still being reviewed and will usually receive a phone call to assess risk and advise on management.

Screening for high risk women is continuing currently. Surveillance mammography post-operatively has recommenced and is up to date. Screening appointments are by arrangement with the screening office via 01752 431652, but unfortunately appointments can only be given to those who have missed a screening invitation, or who have an invitation letter.

We are unable to recommence screening women, at their request, once past screening age (once 71 or over). This is a national ruling.

Sharon Cox: 01752 439410

Breast Care Nurses single point of contact: 01752 431898

Breast Screening enquiries: 01752 431652

Patient Information

MyHealth-Devon: breast problems (female)