This document provides guidance for cancer services, clinical and operational teams regarding the referral of patients between NHS Trusts for clinical management of cancers and suspected cancers where specialist services are not available locally. This policy should be used to ensure a smooth transition for patients between Trusts, aiding transparency and ownership of the pathway.

This policy applies to all Inter Provider Transfers (IPTs) for cancer care between all Trusts within the South East Cancer Alliances’ footprint. Where a receiving Trust does not sit within the same Alliance footprint as the referring Trust, the Alliance guidance that applies to the receiving Trust should be applied. This guidance sets out the process required to ensure patients are referred in line with National Cancer Waiting Times Monitoring Dataset Guidance, v12.1 (2025).

Published: January 2026