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Original poster

Cannot get through to GP and suspected cancer - would you go private?

135 replies

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 25/09/2021 09:59

DH has always had a small mole just under his eye, really very close to the eye.

In recent weeks I have noticed he appears to have a spot or infected eyelash follicle there. He is very "unfussy" about medical stuff and doesn't like things being raised so I left it.

Up close last night in good light and could see quite clearly it was not a spot, but the mole. It has grown hugely to the point where it is sort of puffing up into the bottom of his eye if that makes sense.

I was pretty aghast and asked him if he didn't think he should see someone. He said that he hadn't wanted to worry me but 4 weeks ago he contacted GP via e-consult and GP had asked him to send photos. DH tried but it is hard to take photos of your own eye up close, and so he emailed them back to say the photos weren't coming out well, and could someone just take a look?

No answer.

I asked him to let me take photos and please do another e-consult. Did the photos, went on website - they have turned e-consult off as they have too many to get through.

Also not answering phone.

DH doesn't want to go private but I think time might be of the essence and it's worth a couple of hundred pounds.

Just Sad

OP posts:
femfemlicious · 25/09/2021 10:02

I would go to A&E. Its an emerrgency!

dementedpixie · 25/09/2021 10:03

Our online gp service is only open something like 7-9am so maybe you need to try again on Monday but go on earlier in the morning.

AlbertBridge · 25/09/2021 10:04

Try PushDoctor. Immediate video calls with a GP. It's brilliant.

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Mrbob · 25/09/2021 10:04

@femfemlicious

I would go to A&E. Its an emerrgency!
Hmm
dementedpixie · 25/09/2021 10:05

@femfemlicious

I would go to A&E. Its an emerrgency!
No its not
SoloISland · 25/09/2021 10:06

@femfemlicious

I would go to A&E. Its an emerrgency!
My immediate thought also . Time is of the essence. ie take full control.
ChatterMonkey · 25/09/2021 10:07

Phone 111 and explain the situatio, they might be able to schedule an appointnent with an out of hours gp.

If they cant ask them what they advise if you cant get hold of your gp. I know they are probably advising against it, but what would the gp do if you just showed up at the surgery? They would at least then be able to sort you an appointment?

Willthewashingeverend · 25/09/2021 10:07

@femfemlicious

I would go to A&E. Its an emerrgency!
It is not an emergency @femfemlicious. Emergencies are things like a heart attack, severe bleeding, symptoms of sepsis etc. OP, I would go private or use something like Push Doctor within the next week but I would also keep trying your own GP too and stress that it needs seeing by someone in person.
TabithaTiger · 25/09/2021 10:07

Econsult is turned off outside of working hours. Try again Monday morning.

orangejuicer · 25/09/2021 10:08

Go private OP.

Unless he's having severe symptoms or breathing problems it's not an emergency.

orangejuicer · 25/09/2021 10:08

Could you try a pharmacy, just to rule out anything?

Lockdownbear · 25/09/2021 10:09

Go private it's neither an A&E job nor an out of hours emergency.

RobinPenguins · 25/09/2021 10:09

Go private, it’ll be worth it.

Original poster
JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 25/09/2021 10:09

DH would never ever go to A&E. He wouldn't go when he fully dislocated his knee or when he had a massive allergic reaction to antibiotics.

I am thinking maybe private dermatologist as over video it is just too hard to see the detail?

OP posts:
Orangesandlemons77 · 25/09/2021 10:10

I would ring the GPs first thing Monday and emphasise your concern and it could be possible cancer / melanoma...explain the photos are not working / getting looked at and what do they advise you do?

Also ask for his named GP and keep asking for a phone appt or he/she to see it...sometimes that can help.

Mariell · 25/09/2021 10:12

Pay private and get it removed.

EvilRingahBitch · 25/09/2021 10:14

Yes double check whether e-consult is turned on in working hours. Our surgery's originally was on 24 hours but is not surgery hours only.

There are a load of things it could be, very few of which are cancer, but when DC had a similar skin issue which our normally excellent GP had made a hash of I went for a Bupa video GP consultation. A private GP consultation will be significantly cheaper than a couple of hundred pounds, and there's a good chance it'll be a simple issue which can be resolved with a tube of cream or a course of tablets.

Catsrus · 25/09/2021 10:14

You can get a private consultant appointment really quickly

I had a cancer concern - contacted a Nuffield hospital (via their form online ) on Sunday, was contacted on Monday, appointment on Thursday, bloods done, ultrasound the following Tuesday and was given the all clear in less than 2 weeks start to finish. With tests etc it was about £800 iirc. If you have the money do it.

Original poster
JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 25/09/2021 10:14

Interesting that folk are saying e consult is only during practice hours. It hadn't used to be the case but maybe they have changed that.

Tbh half the time they don't answer them anyhow so I am still thinking private.

The NHS website tells you to contact GP (can't) or links to private surgeons.

OP posts:
YogaLite · 25/09/2021 10:16

I'd try again GP on Monday.

The consulting fee might be £200 but that's not going to be the end of it as surgery will be more on top.

ThatSunnyCorner · 25/09/2021 10:16

Sadly I'd also recommend going private. A & E is inappropriate, and a pharmacist can't do anything in this scenario.

Private GP then get a referral letter for a private Dermatology consultant.

GoodnightGrandma · 25/09/2021 10:16

Can you email the surgery ?
Mine answer emails.

whensmynexthol1day · 25/09/2021 10:18

With axa my insurer they have a mole check clinic staffed by nurses- not sure if it's open to pay as you go customers, but if it is it may be cheaper than a standard consultant appointment. Worth calling up the different private providers and checking

I agree with others that you need to follow up on this quickly

catsrus · 25/09/2021 10:19

@ThatSunnyCorner

Sadly I'd also recommend going private. A & E is inappropriate, and a pharmacist can't do anything in this scenario.

Private GP then get a referral letter for a private Dermatology consultant.

You don't even need the gp referral these days. Just look up a local Nuffield / BUPA hospital and check the list of consultants. Find the one with the right specialty and contact the hospital direct.
thedarkling · 25/09/2021 10:20

What the feck will A&E do? They'll surely just say to see a GP and get a dermatology referral. I don't think they have emergency dermatologists hanging round A&E to swipe off dodgy moles.

If you can afford it go private OP. I went to see a dermatologist under my medical insurance and he said he could treat me as an NHS patient if it needed to come off (it didn't) - he gave me his card and said to call him directly (I didn't get it either but there you are!) But I think it's worth the initial outlay to get into the system.