Hi,

Sadly many hospitals are behind with the 2 week referrals but some are managing to see patients at least within 4 weeks. If they can't give you an idea as to how long the wait is, you can try going back to your GP and asking if there is another hospital nearby that has a shorter waiting list - they can then refer you there. Or you could contact PALS at the hospital where your referral has been made & complain that the NICE Guidelines state that 'Person to receive a diagnosis or ruling out of cancer within 28 days of being referred urgently by their GP for suspected cancer'. www.nice.org.uk/.../Recommendations-organised-by-site-of-cancer

Otherwise, the only other option is to pay for a private dermatology appointment. If they say the mole needs removing for biopsy you can then ask to be transferred back to the NHS for treatment. However, please be aware that private consultations are also taking slightly longer. The delays are caused, in the main, by a shortage of dermatologists (there are currently 600+ vacancies in the NHS) and it's affecting private practice too.

Good luck & I hope you get an appointment through soon. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Thank you for your reply. I have just enquired to see how much it would be to have it looked at privately.