To be confused and upset re: GP urgent referral.

[ChuffChu]

Two weeks ago I went to the GP because I'd been having a period almost constantly since November (a few weeks of spotting inbeteen 'proper' periods), very painful sex, cramps and some odd discharge.

She examined me and found I had an inflamed cervix. She says she was going to send an urgent referral to a gynocologist and that I'd need a colposcopy (sp?)

A few days after I went to see an out of hours gp for very heavy bleeding and clots. He was happy that I wasn't in shock or anything, looked at my notes on the computer and said 'Oh you are on a two week wait, you will have an appointment soon but come straight back if it gets worse etc.' and told me to get a blood test done.

That was last week. I was a bit concerned that I hadn't been contacted yet so contacted pals at my local hospital to see how much longer it would be.

She got back to me and said that they'd received my referral last week but that it was not an urgent one and so I could be waiting quite a while. She advised I get back to my GP.

Just got off the phone from my gp receptionist (gp was unavailable) who said

a) it wasn't written down as urgent at all and there was no way the out of hours gp could see my records (it was on the computer?)

B) that I must have misheard.

Thing is my partner cane with me to the gp and my dn came with me to out of hours. I didn't mishear in either case.

I'm waiting for gp to get back to me but I've got no idea how something like this could happen?!

[LostMyDotBrain]

Urgent referrals are for very specific circumstances (usually if cancer is suspected). It sounds like your GP has mis-spoken without really thinking.

[Servicesupportforall]

Why discuss with the receptionist?

Get another GP appointment to reiterate the urgency and my utter sympathy op I bled for 7 months until the merina coil finally worked.

I waited no more than 2 weeks to see a gynaecologist.

[ChuffChu]

But it was the gp and the out of hours gp who mentioned the urgent two week referral, that's what I can't understand?

He mentioned it when he got my (what I'm assuming is my) notes up on his screen.

I tried to get another appointment with my GP but the next available is almost another two weeks away.

I'm miserable, in pain and the smell is getting pretty awful down there.

[LostMyDotBrain]

GPs normally have several on the day slots reserved. Call them at opening time to book yourself one so you can get some clarification.

[RhodaBorrocks]

Urgent referrals are for very specific circumstances (usually if cancer is suspected). It sounds like your GP has mis-spoken without really thinking.

2 week referrals are used for a lot more than just cancer. And the OPs symptoms definitely are suited to a 2ww. There are 3 levels of referral priority - 2ww, level 1 - urgent (usyally 2-6 weeks) and level 2 - routine.(6 weeks+).

OP, if the GP put it down as an ongoing issue on your summary care record then the OOH GP could have seen it. Or if your OOH clinic is based at the same hospital the gynaecologist is at they would have been able to see the referral received on your open referrals screen on your record.

Ring and ask to speak to the GP regarding your referral. Don't give the receptionist too much info, just say you're not happy and would like for the GP to clear it up with you directly.

[Mary21]

Ask for a telephone appointment with gp . If asked by reception says it's about a 2 week rule referral so you need it today or tomorrow

[ChuffChu]

I will call back and ask for a telephone apppintment.

I was told that there were no appointments available unless it was an emergency.

Out of hours gp was at the same hospital that I was referred to.

I first saw gp on the 17th, saw the out of hours gp on the 21st. Pals today said the hospital got the referral on the 23rd.

[LostMyDotBrain]

2 week referrals are used for a lot more than just cancer. And the OPs symptoms definitely are suited to a 2ww. There are 3 levels of referral priority - 2ww, level 1 - urgent (usyally 2-6 weeks) and level 2 - routine.(6 weeks+).

Apologies, I had a limited amount of time to type up my reply. I said usually, not only, so yes, I'm aware that they're not only for suspected cancer.

OP, this link has some info about maximum wait times. www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/appointment-booking/Pages/nhs-waiting-times.aspx

[RhodaBorrocks]

Your GP has probably added it on your summary care record then, OP. It's used to note all important ongoing, serious or chronic conditions as well as any allergies you might have and medication you take. This can then be accessed by certain health care professionals with permission (not admin) in any health setting. If you collapsed because of this and we're rushed to A&E they could have a look at your SCR and see if you had anything ongoing that could be contributing to your collapse.

I saw an OOH GP a few weeks ago who noted my allergies, medications I take and that I've had a transplant. It was all on her screen when she pulled up my details

www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/records/healthrecords/Pages/overview.aspx

[Astoria7974]

You probably do have an urgent referral. Bleeding between periods is treated really seriously on the NHS.