MEDICS are discussing ways of meeting a Government target for patients who are suspected of having cancer.

The Department of Health is asking hospitals to ensure that by the end of the year 2000 patients who urgently need to see a specialist should be referred within two weeks of seeing their GP.

But the two-week target will apply to three types of cancer from next April - child and adolescent tumours, lung and leukaemia.

In a report, John Thomas, chief executive of Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust, said he was confident that the two-week target could be achieved.

He said early talks had generated a number of potential schemes including the recruitment of additional medical staff, development of outpatient services and the creation of a co-ordinator post in medical records.

Work has already taken place to ensure that women with suspected breast cancer - which kills two women a week in East Lancashire - should see a consultant within two weeks of urgent referral by their family doctor.

The East Lancashire Breast Cancer Unit is also operating triple assessment clinics in Burnley and Blackburn, which aim to offer rapid diagnosis.

The triple assessment offers a physical examination, a mammogram and a fine needle aspiration of the breast lump. Results are available quickly and can often be given on the same day.

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