The Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is an important test in helping to improve the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
On this page you will find:
- a FIT toolkit of resources to support primary care teams in the management of symptomatic patients
- a FIT poster to be displayed where FIT kits are handed to patients
- The FIT dashboard to support primary care networks to monitor FIT utilisation for urgent suspected lower GI referrals.
- a recording of our primary care webinar `Getting to the bottom of FIT' held in June 2023
- recordings of our primary care webinar `Are your systems fit for FIT' held in September 2023 for administration teams
- FIT FAQs
The PCN FIT Investment and Impact Fund Dashboard
The FIT IIF dashboard has been designed to support primary care networks within the Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance area to monitor FIT utilisation for urgent suspected lower GI referrals.
Use the dashboard to:
- Monitor the proportion of lower GI referrals accompanied with a FIT result by GP practice, Primary Care Network, or Integrated Care System.
- Identify areas which need support
- Share best practice
Find the FIT dashboard here: PCN FIT IIF Dashboard
The data in the FIT dashboard will be updated monthly. It is important to use the correct codes when uploading patient information to your GP practice system.
FIT FAQs for primary care
These FAQs have been developed based on themes and questions raised during a series of primary care webinars on FIT that took place in June 2023. Click on the link below to view.
Find the SSCA lower GI referral flowchart to support decision making below. Click on the image to download the chart:
Find the full toolkit of FIT resources here: FIT Toolkit for primary care
Or jump to the individual chapters for resources. See below:
- Chapter 1. Overview of FIT: what has changed; Investment and Impact Fund FIT incentive; cancer waiting time guidance
- Chapter 2. The FIT test: about the test; analytical thresholds; screening thresholds
- Chapter 3. Interpreting the guidance: Symptoms and reasons to refer on an urgent suspected cancer pathway; primary care decision-making algorithm
- Chapter 4. Suspected colorectal cancer referral guidance and supporting information
- Chapter 5. Safety netting: safety netting overview; FIT admin; making the most of Accurx; know your codes; FIT searches
Please click on the FIT poster pictured above to download and display in locations where FIT kits are handed to patients.
The benefits of adhering to guidance on the poster ensures accurate labelling of the samples to so they are not rejected by the lab and also improves the patient’s understanding of how to complete the sample correctly.
Listen to step-by-step guides on how to use tools and resources to help achieve the PCN DES requirements for embedding FIT to support urgent suspected cancer referrals. The recordings below are presentations given during the webinar held in September 2023 aimed at primary care administration teams:
- Dr Jo Thomson, SSCA primary care lead (Sussex) explains the changes to the PCN DES requirements for FIT testing
- A `how to ' guide for using Ardens EMIS
- A `how to' guide for using Ardens SystmOne
- A `how to' guide for using Accurx tools to create messages to patients to support the uptake of the FIT test.
Additional useful links for Ardens EMIS users:
- Ardens portal to access the latest Ardens searches
- Match the FIT Test Result to a SNOMED code
- Fast Track Safety Netting (EMIS)
Additional useful links for Ardens SystmOne users:
Watch the full one hour recording here: Getting to the bottom of FIT or click on the time-links below to watch the following presentations:
2:51 An introduction to FIT
4:41 FIT – what’s the difference
12:20 Interpreting the BSG guidance
27:15 Repeat FIT testing
31:04 New SSCA referral form and guidance and what is changing
36:27 What happens to your patient after you have referred them
38:08 Safety netting in primary care – practical steps you can take and resources
52:38 Your questions answered
Find the webinar presentation slides here: Getting to the bottom of FIT