What is non-site-specific (NSS)?

Non-site-specific symptoms services recognise that some cancers can present with vague symptoms that may not fit within the referral criteria of a single cancer pathway.

Investigation

We know that patients may present to their GP on multiple occasions with vague but concerning symptoms, which may be suggestive of cancer. 

For this reason, we have established services across Kent and Medway to rapidly investigate patients with a range of vague symptoms. 

These services operate in line with other urgent suspected cancer referral pathways, aiming to give patients a definitive diagnosis within 28 days.

Locations

As of March 2024, there is a NSS service in each of Kent and Medway's four health and care partnership (HCP) areas as follows: 

  • Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley: Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust    - based at Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford (since October 2022)
  • East Kent: East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust - based at Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Buckland Hospital Dover and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Margate (since 26 February 2024)
  • Medway and Swale: Medway NHS Foundation Trust - based at Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham (since 1 June 2023)
  • West Kent: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust - based at Maidstone Hospital (since 1 December 2023).

Members of the NSS team

The following roles are part of all NSS teams across Kent and Medway:

  • Consultant clinical lead 
  • Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
  • General practitioner (GP) lead
  • Pathway navigator: to be the first point of contact for patients and to support the team with administrative duties.