Non Specific Symptoms (NSS) 2WW

A rapid diagnostic pathway for patients with non-specific symptoms

Your GP has invited you to be investigated by the Non Specific Symptoms (NSS) 2 week wait pathway. 

This page is designed to help you to understand why the pathway is in place and what it will involve. NSS is part of a new national programme to find the quickest most efficient way to reach a diagnosis in patients who have non-specific symptoms. This page is also designed to tell you more about the purpose of the NSS pathway and what will happen over the next 2 weeks when you get referred by your GP.

For a rapid diagnosis it is important that you make yourself available for all appointments. Please take time to read the information carefully. Should you require any further information, please feel free to call the Navigator for the NSS - contact details can be found through the menu below.

Many people seek medical advice when they
experience vague or general symptoms such as weight loss or tiredness. These are known as “non‑specific” symptoms because they affect the whole person rather than one particular part of the body. Often, even after an initial assessment, the cause of these symptoms remains unclear.

While non‑specific symptoms can occasionally be linked to a serious illness such as cancer, the overall risk of this is very low.

There are many possible explanations for these
symptoms, and in most cases they are not caused by
serious disease. However, for some patients, carrying
out early tests can help identify the cause more
quickly, allowing treatment to begin sooner if needed.
This pathway is designed to give medical professionals a quick and efficient way to access a full group of tests for patients with “non-specific” symptoms. By completing these tests when indicated, patients can be reassured that cancer is not the cause of their symptoms. If cancer is detected, early identification enables faster treatment and is associated with a better prognosis. If required, an appointment with a specialist, depending on test results, will be made.

When you are referred on to the NSS pathway,
you will be required to have blood tests and
a poo test which you will receive in the post,please return this ASAP.

Once we have received your referral and clinical
information our navigator will ring you to book
an appointment. At the initial consultation
you will be assessed for the need for a CT
scan or alternative investigations, a CT will be
scheduled for you to attend on the same day if
needed.

The navigator will talk you through your
appointments and answer any questions you
may have. Your initial consultation followed
by CT scan if needed will be within 2 weeks of
referral by your GP.

Please ensure you can be available for these
appointments.

Your consultation will include a full history
taking and detailed history of your health. This
will take approximately 30-45 minutes.
Your CT scan will be at the Royal Stoke
University Hospital in the Main X - Ray
Department of the main Building on floor LG1.
Following your first consultation appointment,
the Clinical information received and all of your
test results will then be reviewed by the NSS
team.
The next step will be one of the following:
1. Refer you to a Hospital specialist team.
2. Arrange any further tests needed
3. Refer you back to your GP with advice.

You will need to drink a large quantity of water
or squash over a relatively short period of time.
This enables us to prepare you best for the CT
Scan if needed.

Drinking Instructions

1. Please drink 1 litre of water or squash 2 hours
prior to your examination time.
2. You will be asked to drink a further 2 cups of
water whilst waiting for your scan.
3. You are free to empty your bladder as
needed.

A CT scan is carried out by using a special X–Ray
machine, which produces pictures of a crosssection
or slice of the body. The scanner is of
open design, not a tunnel.

Before your scan starts

Please inform a member of staff immediately
before the start of your scan if you are allergic
to anything. You will be given an injection with
a type of dye (known as contrast) into a vein in
your arm during the scan. This will help us see
the blood supply to the area we are scanning.
On very rare occasions some patients may
experience a reaction to the dye, which may
include symptoms such as itching or a rash,
nausea, headache or dizziness. For this reason
you will be asked to remain in the department
being monitored for 20 minutes following the
contrast injection.

Your follow-up care will be decided by the Hospital NSS team based on your clinical information and test results. You may require more tests if further information is needed, or a referral to a specialist who will assess you in person. This could be a cancer referral or a referral for another medical condition if this is more likely.

If the results from the CT scan and other tests do not indicate that further hospital tests or treatment are needed, the NSS team will write to your GP.

If you are asked to attend a follow up appointment at the hospital we are happy for you to bring someone with you. This is often helpful when new information is being discussed and also if further tests need arranging.

We may ask you to complete a questionnaire about your experiences of the Non Site Specific Pathway to help with planning of future services for patients.

Navigator Office - 01782 672557 / 01782 672572