Rapid referral guidelines for suspected cancer
About these guidlines
Our Rapid Referral Guidelines support primary care professionals to identify and refer people with suspected cancer. They are based on NICE’s suspected cancer referral guidance (NG12) and include practical input from GPs and advisers.
The guidelines help you recognise symptoms, assess risk and decide the appropriate referral pathway, including non-urgent, urgent (within two weeks) and very urgent (within 48 hours). They also outline recommended investigations, direct access tests and safety netting.
Designed by GPs for GPs, the guidance is concise and intended to support, not replace, clinical judgement or specialist advice.
You can adapt the guidelines to include local information, but any changes will not be reviewed or endorsed by Macmillan or NICE. Content is maintained and updated on our website as guidance evolves.
The NHS has specific Referral guidelines for Scotland.