At this time of year that many patients have arranged holidays and extended stays out of the UK, it is imperative that patients on a suspected cancer pathway are seen urgently.

We therefore ask our GP colleagues that:

• they check with patients that they have no holiday booked in the foreseeable future and
• confirm with their patients that they are able to make themselves available for their hospital appointment over the next 4weeks, as Trusts aim to diagnose within 28days.

Where a patient confirms that they will be away, please do not refer until they can give confirmation that they will be in the UK and available to attend further diagnostic tests.