title: Enabling patients with respiratory symptoms to access chest X-rays on demand: the experience of the walk-in service in Corby, UK.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  UK clinical guidance for lung cancer (NICE 141) includes pathways for chest X-rays (CXRs). Many patients fulfilling the criteria do not receive one, either because they do not consult their doctor or because their doctor does not refer them. The town of Corby, UK, has particularly high incidence and mortality rates for lung cancer and was chosen as a pilot site for a new, patient-requested X-ray service.
  
  
  METHODS
  The number of community-initiated CXRs were compared before and after the introduction of the service and between similar geographical areas. Clinical data and patient questionnaires were analysed for those attending the service.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a 63% increase in the total number of community-initiated CXRs in Corby for the year following the introduction of the service, compared with the year before. This was statistically greater than in surrounding geographical areas. Corby General Practitioners also requested 47% more CXRs than in the previous year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implementation of the service was associated with a significant increase in the numbers of clinically indicated CXRs in an area of high lung cancer incidence and mortality. The service attracted a clinically appropriate population. The numbers of cancers detected were in line with statistical expectations.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health & Wellbeing Research, The University of Northampton, Boughton Green Road, Northampton NN2 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health & Wellbeing Research, The University of Northampton, Boughton Green Road, Northampton NN2 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pyer
authors.affiliation: Public Health Directorate, Northamptonshire County Council, Guildhall Road, Northampton NN1 1DN, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.affiliation: Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust, Rothwell Road Kettering, Northamptonshire NN16 8UZ, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.affiliation: Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust, Rothwell Road Kettering, Northamptonshire NN16 8UZ, UK.
authors.forename: Raja
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reddy
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: cancer; primary care; public health