No Patient Left Behind: Reimagining MDT Referrals in the NHS
By Dr. Amar S. Bhogal
I still remember the frustration vividly: working a short-staffed shift on the ward faced with a complex oncology patient in front of me who urgently needed an MDT review. With no clear process, I spent hours hunting for the right referral form, emailing coordinators, calling secretaries, and waiting on replies. Between juggling patient care and the relentless pressures of the day, I finally submitted the referral. Eventually the MDT discussed the patient and agreed on a management plan. I couldn’t help but wonder - how many patients fall through these cracks every day?
Sadly, the answer is too many. The current state of MDT referrals in the NHS is fragmented and manual. Forms buried in intranets, made different for each MDT and often left inaccessible. Clinicians rely on memory or local knowledge to navigate opaque processes.
These inefficiencies aren't just administrative headaches—they also have direct consequences for patient outcomes. Studies have highlighted the risks of fragmented communication and delays in cancer care pathways, with significant implications for morbidity and mortality (1,2). The absence of structured data collection, audit trails, and progress tracking results in duplicated effort, decision delays, and critical information gaps.
Current vs Improved MDT Referral Workflows
The diagram shows the contrast between current and improved MDT workflows using Salutare’s ONE Referral platform.
Good software improves clinical outcomes
Well-integrated, clinician-informed tools can profoundly improve care delivery. By digitising MDT workflows, ONE Referral helps clinicians work safer and faster while making better informed decisions. Most importantly, it protects patients from being lost in the system, tracking every referral, so that every voice is heard and no referral is left behind.
References
Britton P, Telnov I, Cheung S, et al. A survey of multidisciplinary team (MDT) working and decision-making in breast cancer. Clin Radiol. 2007;62(9):889–894. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1919390/
Lamb BW, Wong HW, Vincent C, Green JS, Sevdalis N. Teamwork and team performance in multidisciplinary cancer teams: development and evaluation of an observational assessment tool. BMJ Qual Saf. 2011;20(10):849–856. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3004930/
About the Author
Dr. Amar S. Bhogal is a junior doctor in the United Kingdom, dedicated to enhancing patient outcomes through the integration of advanced healthcare technologies. He has a robust background in medical research, having served as a Research Assistant at University College London's Institute for Liver and Digestive Health. His work has been pivotal in exploring the application of remote technology to support acute inpatient and transitional care, particularly for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Beyond clinical medicine, Dr. Bhogal has held leadership roles in both the publishing and education sectors. He worked with Elsevier as a commissioning and managing editor for oncology journals, playing a key role in curating and advancing high-impact scientific research. Additionally, he served as a director for an educational startup focused on supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds, demonstrating his commitment to widening access to education and fostering opportunities for young learners.
Passionate about the transformative potential of healthcare technologies, Dr. Bhogal is focused on leveraging innovative solutions to improve clinical practices and patient care.
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