In all my years as a melanoma patient I've never heard of a 'review'  of a referral. It may mean they are reviewing all referrals and placing them in order of perceived urgency, especially if they are behind due to Covid. At the moment, 2 week referrals are rarely meeting this target and may be a week or two later, but October is certainly not acceptable. I would double check with your GP that the referral wasn't sent as none urgent in error. If confirmed it was a 2 week referral, I would then contact the dermatology department to ask what 'review'  means. Don't be afraid to tell them your worries - sometimes they manage to find an earlier date! Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

I got another letter from them saying the department was very busy at the moment and they would be contacting me 'in due course' - so I can only assume this is the expected waiting time at the moment! Hopefully 7 weeks in an absolutely maximum and it will actually be before then. I can't help but worry that if it is melanoma the delay will make things worse (even though I've already been stupid enough to wait 18 months, so I guess what's a few weeks:cry:) 

thanks for your reply! 

Oh dear. I'm sorry to hear that your hospital has such a long waiting list. You can always ask your GP if there is another hospital with a shorter list (if you are prepared to travel). Or go for a private consultation if you can afford it. If they say it needs removing for a biopsy you can then ask to be transferred back under the NHS so you don't have to pay for private treatment. It may shave a week or two off the initial waiting time. Good luck, please let us know how you get on.

Hi again Angie, thanks for replying. 
 

I called the hospital and asked if they had any more information on my referral - they said it has come back from the consultant and they'd put down that I needed to be seen within 3 months, which they said is one of the more urgent appointments since the average wait time is a year. I'm very confused by the whole thing because I've had an urgent referral for a mole before, and I was seen a week after my GP appointment! 

I'm looking into private appointments but so far they're all looking pretty unaffordable. 
 

I'll let you know how it goes! 

I'm worried, with that time delay, that it's gone through as a non urgent referral. I know several newly diagnosed patients and none have had to wait more than 2 months for a 2 week referral. I would get back to your GP, confirm it was a 2 week referral and, if so, ask about other hospitals.

I don't know where you live but I had the photo imaging done privately and it was £ 50 this was in london. 

I don't know where you live but I had the photo imaging done privately and it was £ 50 this was in london.