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Non urgent referral for colonoscopy

Suzybeth
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Hi everyone, does anyone know anything about how long a GP can take to refer you for non urgent referrals. 

I have some symptoms consistent with bowel polyps and a family history of both polyps and bowel cancer.

Because I don't have all the cancer symptoms (no bleeding)  and because of my age 43 the GP said it would be a none urgent referral which I accept, however I can't help feeling worried because of the family risk and recent high profile cases and learning bowel cancer in younger patients is increasing.

I needed to talk to a GP for something else today and enquired if my referral has been done and it had not. It has been over a week now and I know that my local hospital is a 5 month wait for non urgent colonoscopy. I told the GP I was concerned and anxious for the referral to be done and he basically told me it would get done when it got done. I asked what time scales they work to for none urgent referrals and he just said it's in the process and it will get done but it was non urgent and there are people ahead of me that are urgent referrals. Does anybody know if there are any set timescales for GPs to make none urgent referrals? I didn't think it would take over a week to be honest and I know my waiting time doesn't start until that referral goes in. I'm very anxious to get the ball rolling.

 

Thanks all

 

 

Parents
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    Welcome to the NHS as it operates at the moment.  I saw a GP for a problem at Easter, finally had appointment 12th May, the Consultant himself saw me and ordered an urgent MRI, that came yesterday, 23rd June is my date.  So I'm afraid its wait and be patient, there is little else you can do if its classed as non urgent.  Carol 

  • Offline in reply to Dor06

    I echo the above and am in a similar situation. They seem to be triaging how urgent referrals are based on results of FiT tests. It's so frustrating! 

    My hospital wait list is around a year and I've only been on it for 2 months. 

    The alternative is to go to A&E but I don't know how far you will get with that. 

    Good Luck! 
     

  • Offline in reply to Aries223

    Hi Aries223,

    Very frustrating! I knew the hospital wait would be a while but never expected that the GP would take so long and this is the second time they've said they would do it after shutting my case down without doing it the first time. I'm so frustrated with the GPs because I know my wait doesn't start until they do that referral!

    I'm sorry you're having this same experience, a  year is a very long time it looks like we are luckier here if it's currently only a 5 month wait.

    Best of luck to you and hope the wait comes down in your area.

     

  • Offline in reply to Suzybeth

    I would just keep on at the GP if I were you. That's all you can really do. 
     
    The age thing should no longer be a factor in my opinion. It's difficult to accept that this is the impact of Covid, it's such a stressful time. 

    fingers crossed it's sorted once and for all asap! 

  • Offline in reply to Aries223

    Aries223 I completely agree they really do need to scrap the age criteria, you've no doubt read as I have, that it's led to so many late diagnosis, Deborah James is a case in point.

    Called the doctors yesterday, receptionist said she'd look into it and call me back. Waited to 4pm today, no phone call, spoke to another receptionist who did seem to take it more seriously this time but have to wait for another call back hopefully tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed we both get there soon!

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  • Offline in reply to Aries223

    Aries223 I completely agree they really do need to scrap the age criteria, you've no doubt read as I have, that it's led to so many late diagnosis, Deborah James is a case in point.

    Called the doctors yesterday, receptionist said she'd look into it and call me back. Waited to 4pm today, no phone call, spoke to another receptionist who did seem to take it more seriously this time but have to wait for another call back hopefully tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed we both get there soon!

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