Confused as to urgent appointment

Hi I took my 14 year old to the doctors last week for a wart on her ear. The doctor told me she would refer her for an urgent appointment With ENT. They gave us September. So I rang the hospital who said that that is an urgent appointment. My daughter was marked urgent but not under the 14 day system so that is the date I have. I rung the GP who is off until Thursday but the receptionist told me that my daughter was marked down as urgent but not a 14 day Appointment. She said there's no point me ringing back as the doctor won't be able to move my daughter up the list. So I'm stuck really. I said to the receptionist how can urgent be six months away. She said the hospitals are chock-a-block. So my question is is this normal for urgent? So confused. The doctor definitely gave me the impression it was urgent and I'd be seen quickly.

  • My child has an urgent referral. We've been waiting since November and heard nothing. I've phoned to be told that they're still on the list and we just have to wait. I know it's frustrating x

  • It seems there is a strict criteria to get a two week urgent referral (only if they suspect cancer), which to me means the doctor thinks it's urgent but not cancer. Still a six month wait for urgent seems very bad. Just glad it's not non urgent. 
    thanks for replying. I hope you hear soon about your child's appointment. 
    nick

  • Hi.

    It is most definitely worth getting back in contact with your GP and discussing the situation.  Maybe the GP will decide a 2 week referral is appropriate, or there may be another hospital with a shorter list.

    In any case, I would also inform your MP of the situation and maybe the local press, plus the chief executive of the hospital in question.  This situation is unacceptable; Covid or not, hospitals should be running near to normal clinics, but nothing will change if people accept the situation without making any fuss.  As our American friends put it: it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease!

  • Hi I've spoken to the GP who say there are certain criteria for a 14 day referral and although my doctor wants her seen urgently it's not very urgent. This is all so frustrating. If it gets worse ill

    go private but the lump Is shrinking by the day. You are right our health service concentrates on covid.