2 week urgent referral am I missing something ??

[99problemsandjust1appt]

Went to gp last week as been unwell for over a year
She was v nice and explained she needed to do an urgent referral as I’ve had ongoing problems and said I’d get an appt within 2 weeks.

I got a letter from her the next day saying if I hadn’t got my appt by 2nd sep to contact the surgery.

I’ve had my appt in the post today it’s for the 17 dec ????

She definitely said to me I would be seen on the next 2 weeks. Dec is so far away.
Or does it just mean the appt has to be booked within 2 weeks regardless of when it is or have the hospital triaged it and downgraded it ?? I’ve been so ill and I can’t really wait that long

It means that you must be seen by a consultant or within two weeks.

I think you need to call the surgery and ask them to resend it, or call the department you are being referred to and explain.

I can only assume the hospital have downgraded the gps referral ? The fact she told me and wrote to me saying about the 2 nd sep which is exactly 2 weeks after her urgent referral
I will call them on Monday

Definitely check it with the GP/hospital dept

Hope all is ok OP

Most likely an administrative error has been made either in the hospital or GP practice, so first I'd speak to the GP administration team or hospital appointments.

The hospital consultants do occasionally 'downgrade' referrals, although I don't think they are supposed to do this with Two Week Wait appointments. if that has happened I'd contact your GP surgery and ideally speak to your GP so they are aware and can decide whether they want to contact the hospital team.

I’d left it so long to go to the gp and when I finally do now I feel like there will be delays and I’m anxious about it all
I had some tests last year and should have pressed for me bit things were left up in the air and I was stupid

Definitely call the hospital, but I had this with a 2 week referral earlier this year - initial appointment was four months later. They did manage to move it forward but not within two weeks, I had an initial appointment in week 5 and then follow up appointments took place over the next 6 weeks.

I was stupid last year to not chase things I was fobbed off with ‘yes there’s a lump. We don’t know what it is’

They thought hernia or gynae and wasn’t either had a scan and a lymph node was enlarged but they couldn’t visualise the lump that 3 sep drs have been able to feel and my symptoms have got worse over 18 months or so
I stupidly just thought ‘I’ll see how I am’
Recently have been in a lot of pain and nauseous and worsening bowel symptoms and I’m scared I’ve waited too long I should have said last year no you can’t just leave me saying you can all feel something but nobody will investigate further

I had an emergency appointment for a breast lump which must be seen within two weeks, got my appointment and it was 3 months away. I called about six times and got no where, eventually I lost my temper and went batshit scared and stressed. As soon as I kicked up a fuss they admitted it had been referred as a routine appointment NOT an emergency. Got an appointment in the post a few days after that. I've never been for a scan etc so no chance of it being routine, simple amin error but unfortunately sometimes your fobbed off until you cause a fuss...

I think I need to. I waited stupidly hoping my symptoms would improve and they haven’t
I need to find out what is causing the pain and other issues I’ll call both the gp and hospital on Monday

Just really push OP, I know it's uncomfortable but you'll be so relieved to get it sorted you won't remember being a stubborn dick on the phone. Good luck I hope you get sorted out soon I know it's very scary

It could be something like the GP used the wrong proforma for the referral. Contact your GP as soon as you can. Don't let things slide any longer, you need to chase them. What's done is done, you can't turn back the clock, but get the GP to get it upgraded back to urgent.

Fingers crossed for a good outcome for you.

Op sorry to say but welcome to the system.

It's crazy, you have to view this as a job. No one cares about your health as much as you do and there will be numerous errors, problems. You simply have to manage it all yourself.

I feel so sorry for the frail and elderly lost in this crap.

I’m actually feeling quite stupid for leaving it so long. I shouldn’t have allowed myself to be fobbed off but I told myself it would get better probably because I wanted to believe that I had some initial tests and was discharged when probably shouldn’t have been it was all inconclusive
Anaemia- don’t know the cause just keep taking tablets
A lump-it’s not a hernia or gynae related we can feel it but dont know what it is
Scan-enlarged lymph node but don’t need to re scan
Pain-painkillers didn’t work buscopsn didn’t work. Got told to persevere

I should have demanded a referral then but I’ve left it because I honestly thought surely I’ll feel better

Looks like I’ll be busy Monday arranging this appt

I thought 2 week wait was only for suspected cancer?

You need a gp referral to see a hospital consultant but think that an appointment only needs to be made within 18 weeks.

The gp said it was an urgent referral and I needed to be seen within 2 weeks
My symptoms could potentially be something serious hopefully not but I assume that’s why she did the 2 week referral

I’m not sure GP can ask for a 2 week referral unless cancer.

Maybe an MN GP could hopefully clarify.

I didn’t see the referral so she may very well have put that in there
She wrote to me as well I got a letter the next day saying I should have appt by 2 sep if not let them know.
I wonder did she deliberately avoid saying the word ‘cancer’ but really everyone knows what a 2 week wait is regarding

A two week referral is to see a consultant in that time frame, not two weeks to make an appointment to see a consultant at an indeterminate point in the future. It's urgent for a reason.

Ask your GP to refer you asap.
She is clearly worried so shouldn't be a problem for her.
Hope you are sorted soon
Good luck.

Don't beat yourself up. I have a friend going through something very similar in that she has lots of symptoms but docs can't find anything concrete. It is very easy to accept what docs say especially if they are saying they can't find anything wrong which is kinda good news. But then you continue to feel rubbish. It is probably something complex that requires good diagnostic skills. You will have to probably keep pushing them for diagnosis.

The GP cannot say “this is cancer”, you generally need further tests for that. However they can refer for ? cancer and you should be seen within 2 weeks (advice from the Cancer Research website). I would ring the GP first to check what they actually put in the letter, and then follow it up with the hospital appointments system. If you don’t get much joy say you’ll take a cancellation.

I’m not sure GP can ask for a 2 week referral unless cancer

The GP will ask for a 2 week if they suspect cancer, they don't diagnose it first.

I just feel I shouldn’t have let this ‘lump’ be ignored
They started a year ago saying it must be a hernia then that was ruled out then they thought ovarian cyst which was ruled out and it seemed to then be ‘well it wasn’t what we thought so let’s not do anything’

Yes, sorry, I meant suspected cancer.