Safety Netting

What is safety netting?

Safety netting is a management strategy of patients, tests and referrals used in the context of diagnostic uncertainty in healthcare. It aims to ensure patients are monitored until signs and symptoms are explained or resolved – Cancer Research UK.

Network Contract DES 2026/27

The Network Contract DES specification highlights the use of electronic safety netting tools (see below).

NHS England » Network Contract DES: Contract specification 2026/27 – PCN requirements and entitlements

Improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities

8.3.1 c) in collaboration with partners, reviewing the quality of cancer referral practice against the recommendations of Nice Guideline 12 (suspected cancer, recognition and referral), focusing on timely referral to support improved cancer survival. This should include building on current safety netting practice, including using electronic safety netting tools where appropriate to monitor patients with symptoms which could indicate cancer;