Efficacy of two-week wait referrals in a specialist neurology same day emergency care service

<h3></h3> Waiting times for cancer review have significantly increased nationwide, with over 50% of UK patients experiencing incomplete neurology two-week wait (2WW) pathways at 18 weeks post-referral in 2022 (1). Data recently presented on 2WW equivalent referrals seen in the neurology same day emergency care unit (Neuro-SDEC) at University College London Hospital (UCLH) shows better time to imaging, diagnosis and consultant review versus the standard 2WW (2). Furthermore, given the extremely low cancer detection rate, the 2WW pathway appears to function as a surrogate acute neurological assessment pathway. We present a retrospective cohort analysis of 2WW referrals seen directly in neuro-SDEC instead of neurology outpatients department between July and November 2023. Anticipated outcomes include a comprehensive review of the quality and efficacy of neurological assessment and treatment for 2WW referrals at UCLH. Neuro-SDEC already functions as a purpose-built model for management of acute neurological referrals and may be a better pathway for such cases. In turn, this could prompt revision of criteria for the 2WW pathway, where referrals may be for cases with known or imaging confirmed cancer.