​​​Rapid symptom assessment and diagnostic service

Our oncology‑led ​​symptom assessment and diagnostic clinic accelerates cancer diagnosis for patients presenting with concerning symptoms who don’t fit a standard pathway. We provide a coordinated route that reduces delays, uncertainty and fragmentation of care.

T​he service has been created to support earlier detection of cancer and other serious, non‑cancerous conditions in patients whose symptoms fall outside standard pathways. By referring your patients, you can facilitate faster diagnostic pathways, with every step managed by our specialist team.

We cover specialist areas such as:

• Acute oncology
• Cancer of unknown primary
• Neuroendocrine tumours
• Gastrointestinal (GI) stromal tumours
• Upper GI cancers
• General cancer diagnostics

Our consultants oversee a personalised diagnostic pathway that combines the latest tests and technologies with specialist expertise. This includes the interpretation of early detection cancer tests and linking results to the appropriate investigations and multidisciplinary discussions.

When you refer a patient to our clinic, they’ll access imaging scans such as:

• Computed tomography (CT) scans
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
• Bone scans
• Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scans
• Dotatate positron emission tomography (Dotatate-PET) scans
• Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans

They’ll also receive investigative support from:

• Biopsies and pathology
• Upper and lower GI endoscopy, bronchoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound
• Clinical genetics assessment and molecular tumour board review

This service is for ​​self‑pay adult patients (aged 18 or over) who have symptoms that are concerning for a possible cancer diagnosis or serious condition. The symptoms are non-specific and do not clearly fit a site-specific referral pathway

You should consider referral if your patient has any of the following:

• Unintentional weight loss
• Ongoing fatigue
• Non-specific abdominal symptoms lasting more than four weeks
• New or worsening breathlessness not explained by heart failure, ischaemic heart disease, thromboembolic disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or infection
• Unexplained or worsening pain, particularly back pain
• Persistently abnormal blood tests, such as raised inflammatory markers, anaemia, thrombocytosis, abnormal liver function or hypercalcaemia
• Imaging results suggestive of cancer
• Significant clinical concern without a clear pathway

All referrals are reviewed promptly by our oncology consultants, who will guide the next steps and ensure your patient receives timely and coordinated care.

The rapid symptom assessment and diagnostic service at The London Clinic is led by Dr Saoirse Dolly, Consultant Oncologist, who oversees every patient’s journey. She coordinates all necessary investigations to reach a cancer diagnosis and manages multidisciplinary meeting discussions, ensuring timely, personalised care.

Where appropriate, genomic testing is incorporated to provide comprehensive diagnostic information, enabling patients to begin treatment without delay.

Key benefits for your patients include:

• Single referral route – streamlined entry to consultant-led rapid diagnostics
• Coordinated testing – efficient scheduling of imaging, biopsies and genomic tests
• Earlier diagnosis – faster turnaround and reduced uncertainty
• Support during tests – prehabilitation for nutrition, symptom management and co-morbidities
• Cancer of unknown primary expertise – access to complex and rare case management
• Genetic insights – assessment for hereditary syndromes with molecular input
• Holistic management – rapid results, early oncologist input and full management of incidental findings, including surveillance imaging
• Reassurance – ruling out cancer or integrating MCED results into next steps

This consultant-led pathway offers speed and direct access to specialist expertise, while improving the patient journey and saving time by coordinating complex diagnostics efficiently.

Referring a patient is straightforward. Simply enquire online or call our ​​self pay booking teams on +44 (0)20 4527 1657. You will be asked for:

• A short reason for referral
• Your patient’s medical history and current medications
• Any recent test results

A shared care record summary is perfectly acceptable – there’s no need to prepare a full referral letter.

To make access as convenient as possible, our team offers virtual appointments, meaning most patients are seen within 24 to 48 hours.

We arrange scans daily, so if cancer is suspected, your patient will usually receive an answer within three days of their first appointment.

Where a biopsy or PET scan is needed, our aim is to confirm diagnosis and complete staging within two weeks. This gives your patients clarity and timely answers in line with NHS urgent referral targets.