Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

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

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:
IsabelBeck · 25/09/2021 11:17

If we see a private consultant can they not get him on an NHS cancer pathway if needed?

Yes they can. If the consultant suspects your DH has cancer (and it's very unlikely he has but your DH is too important to just hope for the best) then your DH will be put on the two week wait.

I can't recall if the consultant does the referral direct or via your GP but your GP won't ignore a consultant's recommendation for a two week referral.

Emmelina · 25/09/2021 11:20

It does need looking at properly under a magnifier light - I had a mole checked out a few years ago. Turned out fine, but others I know have turned out malignant.
I wonder if an optician might look, with it being so close to the eye? They could possibly push things along.

amatsip · 25/09/2021 11:23

Can you turn up Monday morning and explain to reception the issue, even if it is via intercom if they won’t let you in.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
FindingMeno · 25/09/2021 11:23

I would simultaneously go all out for gp, and look into finances to see if you can do private.
Go go go, and good luck.

Derbee · 25/09/2021 11:26

I would go to a private dermatologist. Video call is tricky when you want them to be able to see it properly, and up close.

DamnUserName21 · 25/09/2021 11:27

www.boots.com/health-pharmacy-advice/skin-services/mole-scanning-service

Or private dermatology clinic for quick diagnosis. Often times, they can refer to NHS pathway (2ww for skin cancer)

DamnUserName21 · 25/09/2021 11:28

@IsabelBeck

If we see a private consultant can they not get him on an NHS cancer pathway if needed?

Yes they can. If the consultant suspects your DH has cancer (and it's very unlikely he has but your DH is too important to just hope for the best) then your DH will be put on the two week wait.

I can't recall if the consultant does the referral direct or via your GP but your GP won't ignore a consultant's recommendation for a two week referral.

^This
DomPom47 · 25/09/2021 11:31

Please try that link and hopefully get a quick response and peace of mind.

femfemlicious · 25/09/2021 11:32

Yes i knew i would be attacked for sauing A&E. Not everyone cam afford a private GP. If it were me and ive tried to see the gp for 4 weeks and not able to i would make my way to A&E!. Just for a dr to see it and tell me if its something to worry about or not!. Not to get it removed

BungleandGeorge · 25/09/2021 11:35

Don’t waste time with a private GP they will need to send you elsewhere to get it looked at properly. Private healthcare run mole checking clinics using specialist equipment. Some pharmacies also used to offer it. It’s not expensive either, less than £100 for one lesion. I would absolutely go straight to private to get it checked ASAP

Original poster
JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 25/09/2021 11:35

So update, I tried googling eye hospitals and dermatologists in the area, and turns out our local hospital has a self refer clinic!

I rang to ask IF this was the kind of thing they would see and unexpectedly, they said maybe and they would get a nurse to ring DH!

So we'll see.

@Curlyhairedassassin yes you are 100% right but that is what worries me, lots of people esp older people don't "fight". If a surgery has been told someone has suspected cancer symptoms surely they should follow up without the patient having to ring and ring?

Anyhow!!

OP posts:
BungleandGeorge · 25/09/2021 11:38

Ditto A&E- waste of everyone’s time they won’t be able to do anything but refer you elsewhere

BungleandGeorge · 25/09/2021 11:41

People who are very frail, cognitively impaired, vulnerable etc are flagged and get more support. A healthy young person does need to take responsibility for their own health.
Glad you have hopefully got it sorted

becausemymumsaidso · 25/09/2021 11:53

call 111 and when they advise you to contact your own gp you need to refuse the outcome and explain your cancer concerns. Your call will go on a que to speak to a clinician who will understand the urgency and will be able to book a gp appointment or pass it through to an out of hours doctor

trama · 25/09/2021 11:54

GPs are so shit at the moment. It's appalling. How can they refuse to see someone with suspected cancer FFS? (And yes, I know it's down to years of savage Tory cuts but come on, this isn't acceptable).

violetfern · 25/09/2021 12:04

I’m a GP. We would never refuse an appointment for this, and reception would usually speak to
one of us if we were ‘full’ that day if there was a suspected cancer eg change in mole. If we cannot assess via photo we would bring in face to face and if we think it needs a cancer referral would refer on the two week wait referral. Once he can get through to reception you should not have any issue getting a GP appointment ASAP for this. Our reception will always answer the phone, it may take a while as the phone lines are so so busy but it should never go unanswered. Hope your DH manages to get through. You should not have to pay privately for this.

IsabelBeck · 25/09/2021 12:05

I didn't think your suggestion was ridiculous femfem We have a 24/7 eye emergency unit in the next city which i would happily access if I was in OP's position.

Pinkandpink · 25/09/2021 12:06

Yes go to your optician. I have a mole in my eye and they keep an eye on it.

DamnUserName21 · 25/09/2021 12:06

@trama

GPs are so shit at the moment. It's appalling. How can they refuse to see someone with suspected cancer FFS? (And yes, I know it's down to years of savage Tory cuts but come on, this isn't acceptable).
GP services vary greatly by area, it seems. My practice sees dozens of people in person per day (it's a big practice!)
idontlikealdi · 25/09/2021 12:14

@femfemlicious

I would go to A&E. Its an emerrgency!
Ffs.
ILoveAGlassofFizzy · 25/09/2021 12:28

I know that you are doing your best OP, but Geez your DH should be sorting this....................................

knittingaddict · 25/09/2021 12:32

@orangejuicer

Could you try a pharmacy, just to rule out anything?
I would use a pharmacy for many things. This isn't one of them.
SunshineCake1 · 25/09/2021 12:35

As a husband, and father if you have kids, he has a responsibility to look after himself. I have never forgotten the terrible story of the man scared to go to the doctor and he died of skin cancer. He needs to be seen, clearly, and I really hope it is very soon and turns out to be nothing sinister. I think it is very selfish of people to not take care of their health when they have people who love them. My husband has had a heart attack and since then he has written everything I need to know about the house, money etc. So I can deal with life should he die. Sad, not nice to think of but responsible.

TroysMammy · 25/09/2021 12:46

The vast majority of surgeries are not open on Saturdays. The ones that will be open today will be just for flu clinics and no GP on the premises.

The e consult most probably is only open during surgery hours and the times it's open may be restricted because of the vast amount of cases that can come through and important ones, ie your DH's, may be pushed down the line after requests for sick papers, blood test results and other things.

I'd go on it as soon as it opens on Monday morning. Take clear photos, prepare beforehand what you are going to type, log on and as soon as it opens send immediately.

I've never used it myself but I'm on the other side of the computer which goes on at 8am and I know that the first requests come through at 8.01am.

If the e consult has closed due to capacity then ring your surgery because they should have a back up plan for urgent cases. The one I work in takes calls of an urgent nature and puts them on a list for the GP's. They triage what comes through and deal with them the same day as the vast majority of the Ask My GP requests they get.