Urgent referral time scale passed.

I'm really unsure if where I stand right now. 
 

I found a lump 3 weeks ago, it's large, firm, painful,doesn't move and feels jagged/ ie not a smooth circle. 
When I spoke to the gp they requested an urgent cancer referral due to my symptoms. Also I'm 35, I've had a lump before that thankfully turned out not to be cancer, but it didn't feel like this. I can't even exercise right now due to the pain and sickness that comes when I move it

The time had obviously passed now, it's been 3 weeks and so far no matter who I call.. the gp or the hospital I have been referred to, they just say that "they are really busy" and that someone will call me back. 
 

i get that covid has obviously had an impact on appointments but I don't understand how my gp can drop the c bomb on me and then leave me hanging to get it checked out. 
 

Has anyone else had any issues being seen? 

Parents
  • This is unfortunately really common right now. Urgent referrals are no longer operating on a 2 week timeframe. I've been having numerous GI issues since February, my urgent Endoscopy referral took 5 weeks and when I asked was it not supposed to be 2 weeks the booking secretary said no one is being seen in that timeframe right now because of backlogs that Covid caused.

    I was referred to a Gastroenterologist back in February, my appointment date still hasn't even been set. I ended up asking for a private referral a few weeks ago and I was told the soonest I could be seen was mid-July as so many people are going private now due to the NHS struggling

    It's a scary/sorry state things are in right now. I hope you get sorted soon.

Reply
  • This is unfortunately really common right now. Urgent referrals are no longer operating on a 2 week timeframe. I've been having numerous GI issues since February, my urgent Endoscopy referral took 5 weeks and when I asked was it not supposed to be 2 weeks the booking secretary said no one is being seen in that timeframe right now because of backlogs that Covid caused.

    I was referred to a Gastroenterologist back in February, my appointment date still hasn't even been set. I ended up asking for a private referral a few weeks ago and I was told the soonest I could be seen was mid-July as so many people are going private now due to the NHS struggling

    It's a scary/sorry state things are in right now. I hope you get sorted soon.

Children
  • Aww dzr so sorry to hear that you're still waiting. 
    It's so sad that the nhs are doing the best they can but the don't have the support from the government to get more staff and provide more services. 
     

    I remember getting seen so fast last time that I totally took it for granted this time around. I do have that same fear that even the private scan will be the same wait time. 
    I guess there's nothing much we can do but wait x