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

I guess you need to say. OK if this is a benign lump can we focus on my symptoms and establish the cause of X, Y and Z symptoms. I guess it is possible for the lump could be benign and not be connected to the other symptoms. You job will be to ask questions and keep pushing. Not easy I know. I see my friend going through it. Her symptoms are wide ranging and could be unconnected or they could be all a manifestation of one illness. Good luck.

I feel stupid and that I was burying my head in the sand as my symptoms are all in the area mostly of the lump the pain etc and any other symptoms could be as a result. I’ve been telling myself it’s IBS trying to convince myself

But that is totally understandable when you are being told they can't establish any cause for the lump. You are on the case now.

@99problemsandjust1appt If you're in England, it's a bank holiday on Monday so you might struggle to contact anyone - just incase you've forgot! I've done that in a stress before.

Best of luck

Stop beating yourself up about not pursuing it last year! I'd phone your GP surgery on Tuesday and explain you thought you were getting an urgent referral following your conversation with the GP yet that's not what has arrived in the post. Good luck and hope it all starts falling into place next week for you.

You would be best to ring the GP surgery on Tuesday (after Bank hol) and ask to speak to the secretary. They tend to send the referrals and will often have more time to deal with you compared to the Receptionist, who will be busy making appointments after the b/hol weekend.
Explain to the secretary what the GP said and list your symptoms and explain they have been present for one year. Then explain about the hospital letter and the long wait. The Sec will be able to read the GP consultation and the Sec will then be able to ring the hospital to expedite your referral. You need to check the GP surgery has completed the referral correctly (ie, in 2 weeks) so that is the best starting point. The surgery can then argue with the hospital about how quickly you need this appointment. Ask the Sec to log this in your medical records that you have rung so there is an audit trail otherwise phone calls to hospitals sadly get lost and no one takes responsibility for long waits or delays. Be very polite and grateful when ringing but make it clear that you mean business. If anyone promises to ring you back, take their name, extension number and ask for a time frame for that phone call (will that be later today?).

Sorry OP, I’ve just read that back and I sound very bossy! I don’t mean to be but don’t let them fob you off. We are having to work with a broken system (the NHS) so you have to be in charge of your health / needs. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

The pp who said it's the secretary you need to speak to is correct - they send the letters out.

Oh yes I totally forgot it’s bank holiday 😔 Tuesday then

Hope you managed to get sorted OP.