Rapid Diagnostic Assessment Centre

Rapid Diagnostic Assessment Centre (RDAC)

Key Staff

Philippa Jupp – Advanced Nurse Practitioner, RDAC Service Lead
Shendelen Senining - Clinical Nurse Specialist
Dr Jaimin Patel – General Practitioner, RDAC Clinical Lead
Mr Said Mohammed—Consultant Laparoscopic Colorectal and General Surgeon, RDAC Consultant Lead
Daniel Lim – Patient Pathway Coordinator

Tel : 0208 401 3000 ext 5444 Email: ch-tr.RDAC@nhs.net Office hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00

What is RDAC?

The Rapid Diagnostic Assessment Centre (RDAC) provides quicker access to specialist clinical support and diagnostics for patients who have presented to their GP with vague and non specific symptoms that require further investigation.

You have been referred because your GP feels the symptoms you are experiencing need investigating quickly. It is possible that your symptoms are a result of a common condition, however your GP will have also explained to you that in some cases this could be a sign of cancer. You will be contacted by a hospital clinician within the next 14 days, who will look into your symptoms and find the best way to manage your care.

For more information on the RDAC programme please watch this NHS video

What you should expect

You will receive a phone call from a member of the team, who will book you in for a face-to-face or telephone new patient clinic appointment. This will be a comprehensive assessment consultation with one of our clinicians where symptoms you are experiencing and your past medical history will be explored.

It is likely that the nurse/doctor will then refer you for tests (e.g. scans, endoscopy, blood tests) to be done at the at the hospital. The pathway navigator will help arrange your appointments and let you know when they are.

Face-to-face appointments are provided at Croydon University Hospital and Purley War Memorial Hospital. We also provide telephone clinics for patients where appropriate. If you are asked to attend for a face to face consultation, please be reassured that precautions are in place to help keep you safe when you visit our hospital.

Your results

Test results will be given to you during a clinic appointment. This will be either face to face or via a telephone appointment. We are happy for you to have a family member or friend accompany you for this appointment. The Pathway Navigator will discuss your appointment with you in more detail. It may be helpful to have a pen and paper with you to write down any new information you receive. You may also want to write down any questions you have beforehand.

Rescheduling an appointment

It is important that you keep the appointment that has been provided by the hospital, however we understand that patients may need to rearrange due to conflicting commitments. Please let us know by contacting us at the earliest convenience if you need to rebook your appointment.