Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

NHS waiting list - advice please?

19 replies

hellswelshy · 15/03/2021 16:15

Does anyone know if you have been referred to a particular department by the GP (dermatology in my case) and have received a confirmation letter to say I am on the list - if I ring them are they able to give me an approximate wait time or is that impossible? Wondering about a private appointment but if the waiting list is only another month or so (had my letter 5 weeks ago) I could wait. Anybody able to advise?

OP posts:

Isadora2007 · 15/03/2021 16:16

No harm in calling.

Original poster

hellswelshy · 15/03/2021 17:03

Thanks, yes I know you're right..I'm reluctant to pester, I know the pressures the NHS have currently..think I feel anxious about it generally!

OP posts:

penelopepittastopp · 15/03/2021 17:10

I was referred to Dermatology in July last year. I heard nothing then randomly got a text at the end of October for a phone consultation mid November. Was told they wanted to photograph my questionable mole and take it from there. Had the photographs done earlier this morning in Brighton. Was told that the consultant would review the photos and write to me within a few weeks.

It has taken ages to get to this point. I did call dermatology back in august last year as I was worried that I had been forgotten. I was told that my appointment would take months to come through.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health

Fiddlersgreen · 15/03/2021 17:34

Waiting times will vary from hospital to hospital

MeadowHay · 15/03/2021 17:37

They should be able to give you an estimate, they can here. Dermotology in my city had a 12 month wait last time I heard, and that was months ago so I'd imagine it's even worse. You could also see if you can get cancellation appointment somehow, I moved a 9 month derm wait to a 3 month wait by doing that and once I was in they squeezed all my follow ups in on time etc.

Original poster

hellswelshy · 15/03/2021 17:41

Thanks for the replies. Yes I think I'm concerned about it taking months penelopepittastopp
I'm in Wales so not sure on the comparison waiting time wise. If I know it will take more than say a month more or even 6wks then I will consider a private referral. Does anyone know if a GP can do that?

OP posts:

LIZS · 15/03/2021 17:46

The letter normally gives an indication of timeframes. Ie. Dh has been told wait is a minimum of 4 weeks for physio referral. However dm was referred to dermatology last November, seen early
Feb and mole removed early March(took cancellation appointment). Must vary by area.

SpamIAm · 15/03/2021 19:06

I've called once for similar information and they just told me what the standard waiting time is rather than when I might expect my particular appointment, but that's probably enough information for you? FWIW most things in wales are 6 month targets I think, unless you're on a cancer pathway. Possibly longer waits at the moment as well. Certainly no harm in calling and you'll only be taking up a minute of their time.

Original poster

hellswelshy · 16/03/2021 08:41

Thanks, yes just want a general idea. I will ring them this morning and go from there.

OP posts:

Original poster

hellswelshy · 16/03/2021 13:32

Okay well I've rung the hospital and they've confirmed the wait for a non urgent referral to Dermatology is around 8 months! Now debating what to do next.

OP posts:

Ilovechoc12 · 16/03/2021 13:51

Depends how urgent it is for you?

Go private - if you have the money / Bupa etc

Once booked in with a consultant they have never asked for a referral letter....

Seen lots and lots of consultants with 4 children including skin conditions.... makes life easy and timings ....

LoopyLockdown · 16/03/2021 13:59

I've had 3 referrals.
August 2019 - immunology. Still waiting. Letter received December asking me to phone if I wanted to remain on the waiting list. Which I did.
Sept 2020 Pelvic Ultra Sound. Still waiting. Normally 6 weeks been told 6 months so hope to call me soon.
Nov 2020 Gynae. Still waiting. Letter says I'll get an update on 6 months on my position on the list if I gave not been seen.

I've just phoned 2 private hospitals for quotes on an USs and gynae appointment. Was quite shocked to find the earliest appointment fir initial online consultation is 3 weeks and 3 to 4 weeks. If I'm referred for tests then there is a slight delay as they are currently helping out the NHS with their back log. Could be 2 to 3 weeks fir an USS, however, if consultant deems it necessary and urgent it may only be a 1 week wait.

Obviously private is faster than NHS currently but in my area, it's nowhere near as fast as usual. 2 years ago I was seen within 48 hours and extra tests done on the day. Results back within days.

Original poster

hellswelshy · 16/03/2021 15:09

That's the thing, not sure if it is urgent so I suppose for peace of mind I'd like it seen quickly, as does everyone I imagine. GP referred me as non urgent as thinks it could be a wart (on face) but just in case it's a BCC did the referral. I may ask GP for a 2nd opinion maybe before I decide on a private appointment.

OP posts:

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 16/03/2021 15:20

I was referred for cataract surgery in January 2020. I had a letter in April to say I was on the waiting list. I phoned in August to see if there was an indication of how much longer the wait would be. No one could give me an indication. In January, I had a letter to say someone would be in touch the following week. I’m still waiting for that.

Since I was unable to drive, read anything other than very large print, knit or sew, I chose to use my savings and have the procedure privately, which I did at the end of September 2020. If not, I’d be waiting still and probably blind.

20viona · 16/03/2021 15:21

For a wart on the face you can also be referred to max fax.

DIshedUp · 16/03/2021 15:29

They will triage your referral. Did your GP send a picture?

I'd stick to NHS but keep an eye on your wart, if its increasing in size or changing shape or bleeding/crusting call dermatology and explain because even if you've been referred on the routine pathway they should upgrade it if there's worrying symptoms

Soontobe60 · 16/03/2021 15:36

@hellswelshy

You could get a private consultation the if you need treatment get it via the NHS. If it turns out to be a BCC there is a time limit as to when in needs to be removed - or there was a couple of hears ago when I had one. I saw the GP, was referred under the 2 week wait, saw the consultant after 1 week and was booked in for removal after 12 weeks. I wanted to postpone it for 2 weeks because I was going on holiday the week after the appointment. You’d have thought I was selling a kidney the fuss they made about not doing it within the timeframe!

Chottie · 16/03/2021 15:45

I live in SE England and was referred by my GP to dermatology clinic in Nov 19. Two appointments were made and cancelled during Lockdown 1 and 2. I saw the consultant in Nov 2020 and had treatment under LA in outpatients in Jan 2021. The consultant was sorry about the wait, but obviously there was a huge backlog of cancellations and also new referrals. So I was just glad to be seen.

Original poster

hellswelshy · 16/03/2021 16:44

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. Yes I think they did send a picture of it as it mentions that in my hospital letter I think. If I asked my GP for a 2nd opinion, maybe they will upgrade the referral from their end. There is crusting on the lump, but GP was fairly sure it was a wart. I don't think I can wait 8 months to know for sure what is! I agree with the idea of initial consultation privately, then go from there maybe. Next stop GP though.

OP posts:

Flip