DEVELOPMENT OF A NETWORK MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM AND NATIONAL REFERRAL CENTRE FOR TREATMENT OF COMPLEX BENIGN COLORECTAL POLYPS

Introduction Large flat or sessile lesions are not uncommon on a screening colonoscopy list and endoscopic removal is often technically challenging. The assessment process for screening colonoscopists in Wales does not assess therapeutic skill and variation in rates of referral to surgery suggest that clinician skill level may influence management decisions. A Network Multi Disciplinary Team (NMDT) and National Referral Centre (NRC) pilot was established to offer the opportunity for expert opinion and discussion of therapeutic options for participants of the welsh bowel screening programme. Methods The six month pilot began in October 2011 by taking referrals from Screening Colonoscopists and local MDT’s. The aim was to provide a service that would reduce variation of practise with potential value for education on lesion recognition, EMR technique and decision making. Expressions of interest were invited and expert advisors appointed for Colonoscopy, Pathology, Radiology and Surgery. Specialist Screening Practitioners and management staff were appointed and the NMDT established as a virtual group to meet biweekly. Referral criteria were agreed based on a composite of size, morphology and accessibility of lesion. Participants with lesions satisfying the criteria were referred to the NMDT electronically. Local Assessment Centres were provided with image capture devices and staff trained to record and edit video clips which were subsequently saved on a share drive, reviewed by expert advisors and discussed at NMDT meetings. Expertise in complex polypectomy is often limited to few centres and the NRC was designated in a unit accessible to colonoscopists with appropriate skills. It was established in Cardiff at University Hospital Llandough via an agreement with Public Health Wales. Depending on outcomes of NMDT discussions participants were given the option of accessing local surgery or travelling to the NRC for therapeutic endoscopy where appropriate. Results During the initial pilot phase 13 meetings were held. No meeting was cancelled due to availability of advisors, 1 was cancelled on a bank holiday and 1 because of technical difficulties. Thirty eight cases were referred for discussion and 15 of them referred to the NRC for therapeutic procedures. Challenges including image quality, video transmission and interface with local MDT’s were discussed at a multidisciplinary workshop and solutions identified for future development. Evaluation of the pilot indicates that the service has been well received by participants, NMDT members and local teams. Conclusion This development has been logistically feasible, safe and successful in providing an equitable service for participants of the bowel screening programme in Wales and has contributed to a reduction in referrals for surgery for benign lesions. Disclosure of Interest None Declared.