RecruitingInterventional

The Shared Safety Net Action Plan (SSNAP): Exploring the viability of a safety-netting tool in primary care that encourages partnership between patients and staff to support earlier diagnosis of cancer

This study is testing a new tool called the Shared Safety Net Action Plan (SSNAP). When you visit your GP with unclear symptoms, like feeling very tired or losing weight without trying, doctors sometimes ask you to keep an eye on them. This is called 'safety-netting.' SSNAP aims to make this process much clearer for both patients and staff. The tool helps you understand what symptoms to watch for, how long to watch them, and when it's time to go back to the doctor. It also helps GP surgeries keep track of patients. The study wants to see if SSNAP improves communication and helps catch serious conditions like cancer earlier. Adult patients with these types of symptoms, and their families, might be invited to join.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

204

Start

13 Apr 2026

Estimated completion

31 Jul 2027

Cancer

What is this study about?

When you visit your GP with symptoms like feeling very tired all the time or losing weight without an obvious reason, it can sometimes be tricky to figure out exactly what's going on. In these situations, your doctor might use a technique called 'safety-netting.' This basically means they ask you to keep track of your symptoms and come back if things don't get better, or if new symptoms appear. This is really important because some of these vague symptoms could, in rare cases, be early signs of something serious, like cancer.

However, it can be easy for patients to forget what they were told to look out for, or when they should return to the doctor. This is where a new tool called the Shared Safety Net Action Plan, or SSNAP, comes in. This study is exploring if SSNAP can make safety-netting work better for everyone. SSNAP is designed to help you clearly understand which symptoms you need to monitor, for how long, and what should prompt you to make another appointment with your GP. It also helps the GP surgery keep better track of your progress.

The main goal of this study is to see if SSNAP helps patients feel more informed and confident about managing their symptoms, and if it helps doctors and their teams support patients more effectively. Ultimately, by improving this process, the researchers hope SSNAP could lead to an earlier diagnosis for serious conditions if they are present, giving patients the best chance for timely treatment.

Key takeaways

The study explores a new tool called SSNAP to improve how doctors and patients manage unclear symptoms.
SSNAP aims to help patients understand what symptoms to watch for and when to return to the GP.
It could help achieve an earlier diagnosis of serious conditions like cancer.
Participation involves filling out questionnaires and possibly talking to researchers.
There are no known risks; the study focuses on improving communication.
You can choose to stop participating at any time.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adult patients, aged 18 or over, who visit their GP with symptoms that are not clearly explained but could potentially be linked to cancer. These might include things like ongoing tiredness, unexplained weight loss, or other vague health changes.

If you're unable to make decisions about your own medical treatment but are with a family member or carer who agrees to the SSNAP plan, you might still be able to take part. Family members or carers who attend appointments with eligible patients can also be involved.

You won't be able to take part if you're under 18, or if you've previously said you don't want your health information shared for research. Also, if you can't make decisions about your treatment and don't have a family member or carer with you who can agree to the plan, you won't be able to join this study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you visiting your GP for symptoms that are not clearly explained but could be serious?
Do you have the ability to make decisions about your own medical treatment, or do you have a family member/carer with you who can agree to the plan?
Have you not previously opted out of your health data being used for research?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, the main things you might be asked to do include:

If you're a patient, you might use the new SSNAP tool during your GP appointment. You and your family (if they're involved) will be asked to fill out short questionnaires about your experience of the GP visit. Some patients who use SSNAP may also be invited to talk to the research team about how they found the tool and if it helped them.

GP staff participating in the study will also be interviewed about their experience using SSNAP. The researchers will also quietly collect information on how often SSNAP is used and what effect it seems to have. The study is planned to run from March 2025 to April 2028, but your individual involvement would be for a shorter period, likely involving a few questionnaires and potentially an interview.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may help you feel more confident about understanding your symptoms and knowing when to seek help, potentially improving how you talk with your GP. There are no known physical risks to taking part in this study, as it focuses on improving communication and information, not on new medicines. Remember, taking part is completely your choice, and you can change your mind and withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your usual care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Yorkshire and Humber RRDN
City only
Leeds, England

Common questions

What is 'safety-netting'?

It's when your doctor asks you to watch your symptoms and come back if they don't get better or change, especially for symptoms that aren't fully clear.

What is SSNAP?

SSNAP (Shared Safety Net Action Plan) is a new tool designed to make safety-netting clearer, helping patients know what symptoms to watch for and when to return to the doctor.

Will I have to take any new medicines?

No, this study is about improving communication and information, not about new medicines or treatments.

Who is paying for this study?

The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), a large research funder in the UK.

When does the study start?

The study is expected to start in March 2025.

How to find out more

Lynn McVey

Lynn.McVey@bthft.nhs.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.