Introduction Primary brain tumours (PBTs) are rare, but they can have devastating impacts. Early diagnosis and treatment of PBTs can lead to improved patient outcomes. This audit analysed the proportion of PBT patients referred from primary care by the urgent 2-week wait pathway to the neuro-oncology multi-dis- ciplinary team (MDT) at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham (QEHB).

Methods Neuro-oncology MDT data at the QEHB was reviewed retrospectively. A random number generator was used to select patients until a sample size of 50 was achieved. Inclusion criteria were patients presenting with a PBT. Exclusion criteria included metastatic disease and where a clear referral pathway could not be established.

Results Of the 50 patients analyzed, 45 (90%) were secondary care referrals, and 5 (10%) were primary care referrals, via the 2-week wait pathway. Of the secondary care referrals, 26 patients were diagnosed in A&E. The most common presentations were seizure (12 patients) and headache (10 patients).

Discussion These results indicate that few patients are diagnosed through primary care. Most diagnoses occurred in A&E departments. This data could warrant a shift in guidance for primary care practitioners, from the 2-week wait pathway, to a direct referral to A&E for earlier diagnosis.