School of Medicine

Education & Qualifications

MB ChB 1988 (University of Birmingham)

MRCGP 1994

Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching & Learning 1999 (University of Leeds)

PhD 2000 (University of Leeds)

Research Interests

The diagnosis and management of cancers in primary care.

Selected Research Publications

Neal RD, Allgar VL. Socio-demographic factors and delays in the diagnosis of six cancers: analysis of data from the 'National Survey of NHS Patients: Cancer'. British Journal of Cancer 2005;92:1971-1975.

Allgar VL, Neal RD. Delays in the diagnosis of six cancers: analysis of data from the National Survey of NHS Patients: Cancer. British Journal of Cancer 2005;92:1959–1970.

Neal RD, Allgar VL, Ali N, Leese B, Heywood PL, Proctor G, Evans J. Stage, survival and delays in lung, colorectal, prostate and ovarian cancer: comparison between diagnostic routes. British Journal of General Practice March 2007

Allgar V, Neal RD, Ali N, Leese B, Heywood P, Proctor G, Evans J. Urgent general practitioner referrals for suspected lung, colorectal, prostate and ovarian cancer. British Journal of General Practice 2006;56:355-362.

Selected Projects

Project Name: Time to diagnosis in symptomatic cancer: does it have an effect on clinical and psychological outcomes? Systematic review, and scoping work for future research.
Funder: Cancer Research UK
Duration: 2007-9
Value: £115K
Background/Introduction: For all cancers except breast it is unclear what effect time to diagnosis from first symptom has on outcomes. Knowing this will enable strategies to developed to facilitate earlier diagnosis if appropriate.
Aims: To determine the association between time to diagnosis and outcomes in cancer.
Keywords: cancer, delays, stage, survival

Project name: Follow-up of cancers in primary care versus secondary care – systematic review. 2004-7
Funder: Cancer Research UK
Duration: 2004-2007
Value: £79K
Background/Introduction: There is controversy over the best location of the follow-up in some cancers, and arguments for both roles of primary and secondary in the process.
Aims: The aim is to undertake a systematic review of the world literature to compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of primary care versus secondary care follow-up of cancer patients.
Keywords: cancer, follow-up, primary care, general practice, secondary care, systematic review

Project name: Diagnosis Earlier Looking at Your Symptoms – development & evaluation of a patient-centred tool to measure diagnostic delays (DELAYS 2)
Funder: Cancer Research UK
Duration: 2007-8
Value: ~£40K
Background/Introduction: Many studies have measured time to diagnosis (or diagnostic delay); however many have used methodologically flawed approaches or unvalidated tools to do so. A well-developed tool is needed to evaluate time to diagnosis and measure the effect of any trial to reduce time to diagnosis
Aims: This pilot study aims to determine the acceptability (to patients and research nurses), feasibility and validity of a tool to measure patient and primary delays in cancer.
Keywords: cancer, primary care, general practice, secondary care, delays, diagnosis, questionnaire, RCT.

Project name: What is the optimal role for primary care in the follow-up of patients with prostate cancer?
Funder: Cancer Research UK
Duration: 2007-8
Value: £115K (year 1 only)
Background/Introduction: Prostate cancer is best regarded as a chronic disease of older men. The best location and model of care for ongoing follw-up and monitoring of men with prostate cancer is unknown. Primary care is well placed to have an active role in this process.
Aims: The aim of this study is to: systematically review the literature and current policy to identify best evidence for follow-up practice; describe variations in follow-up protocols and practice; and to inform future primary care based interventions based on preferences of both patients and providers.
Keywords: prostate cancer, primary care, general practice, PSA, follow-up, management, database study, qualitative study, systematic review, policy review

Project name: Children’s health in asthma – research to improve status by modifying accommodation
Funder: CMO research budget, North Wales Research Committee, & nPower
Duration: 2003-2006
Value: £22K
Background/Introduction: Much literature shows correlation between poor housing conditions and health outcomes, but few data on causation. There have been very few RCTs in this area.
Aims: The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectivenss of improving ventilation and/or heating in the homes of school-age children with asthma.
Keywords: Asthma, children, RCT, housing, heating, ventilation, quality of life, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, primary care, public health