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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:
MargaretThursday · 25/09/2021 12:57

Is it the mole or something underneath it?

Dh gets little bump swellings, often round the eyes which look scary but are totally innocent. They normally go down in a few months. He had one removed as a young child but that was because it was causing other issues.

Hobnobswantshernameback · 25/09/2021 12:59

Given that it's so close to his eye could you get an optometrist to look at it?

Floralnomad · 25/09/2021 13:18

Just ring the GP on Monday , 2 days isn’t going to make any difference now .

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BungleandGeorge · 25/09/2021 13:27

You said you though it was an infection and it wasn’t until last night that you had a good look and now think it’s the mole. Be fair to the GP a patient ringing saying they’ve got what they think is an infected follicle could they have a look (which btw he could have gone to a pharmacy or optician and got antibiotic cream for the same day) is not the same in terms of urgency as someone with a mole that has changed. But you only just decided it was a mole.

Turboface · 25/09/2021 13:32

I recently needed to contact go about a sore on my eye corner that didn't heal. Econsult only works on working time so I waited for Monday. I took a picture of the eye, not very good one, and send it off. I got a text next day to get some cream from pharmacy and if it doesn't work I will get face-to-face appointment. Cream worked wonders luckily.

Purplewithred · 25/09/2021 13:34

What @violetfern said. And she's a GP.

If you really can't wait till Monday then try Livi, £29.99 I think for a video GP consultation and they would be able to make the referral.

Lots of GPs have turned off e-consult and emails because of the volume of messages coming in over the weekend needing to be triaged immediately on Monday morning to pick up on anything urgent.

CorrBlimeyGG · 25/09/2021 13:36

@allvioletfern You are not all GPs. Many are still blocking patients access, as my family know to great cost.

CoffeeRunner · 25/09/2021 13:40

You need to be holding on the phone to your GP for way longer than 2-3 minutes. It's unfortunate they don't tell you you are in a queue (our surgery does), but that will be what is happening for certain. It's not going to be a case of nobody bothering to answer the phone.

We have e-consult but it is available all day & is generally very good and reliable. I do understand why smaller practices would have to limit the amount of requests daily though.

My advice would be re try e-consult on Monday morning (you know it works, DH got a reply from them before) and failing that phone but be prepared to hang on until you get through. Each time you put the phone down & redial you are going back to the back of the queue.

princesspenny · 25/09/2021 13:42

If you are in the UK go to an optometrist, they will refer as needed and you can get an appointment within 2-4 weeks

mangopip · 25/09/2021 13:48

Have you looked at The Mole Clinic? There are several in the UK. You can either visit or send a picture. If they think it’s suspicious they will refer you to the NHS

Frostine · 25/09/2021 13:52

It's so hard to get a Drs appointment . If you can bear it phone them on Monday and tell them the photo didn't show well and it's grown more.
I have a mole that feels crusty and enlarged on the back of my neck . Phoned the dr , was given a nurses appointment , went to said nurse, and she told me it's not something she usually looks at. Told her I had another appointment the following week at the surgery ( I'd received a telephone call , to go and see them about an ongoing issue , that should have regular checks but during lockdown they had been ignoring ) nurse said ask them when you go.
Went to appointment , yes same nurse !

ILoveAGlassofFizzy · 25/09/2021 14:03

Once again, why do these blokes get pandered, he should be sorting out his own appointment.

CoffeeRunner · 25/09/2021 14:15

@Frostine

It's so hard to get a Drs appointment . If you can bear it phone them on Monday and tell them the photo didn't show well and it's grown more. I have a mole that feels crusty and enlarged on the back of my neck . Phoned the dr , was given a nurses appointment , went to said nurse, and she told me it's not something she usually looks at. Told her I had another appointment the following week at the surgery ( I'd received a telephone call , to go and see them about an ongoing issue , that should have regular checks but during lockdown they had been ignoring ) nurse said ask them when you go. Went to appointment , yes same nurse !
So why didn't the nurse get the Duty Dr in to have a look if she was concerned the mole could be suspicious?
lillg · 25/09/2021 14:40

Definitely get it checked out. I went to my GP in March for a lump by my eye and they referred me to the hospital. At the hospital they said my eye was fine but diagnosed cancer on my forehead for a mark that my GP had told me with certainty was nothing to worry about. Once diagnosed, however, NHS treatment was fast and efficient.

Having lost all faith in the GP, I booked a private appointment for a full check up. It was only about £250, and gave reassurance there is nothing to worry about. I would 100% recommend going private if you can afford it.

Another thing to look at is any help you may be able to get though work or insurance. My life assurance provides doctor/nurse support over the phone or email. My work has a similar service.

Darceyhemingway · 25/09/2021 16:45

If you can afford to give private deff do. If it's a lesion on his Face Id either go dermatology or max fax as they can biopsy it. Can't believe someone suggested AnE all they'll say is to go to GP

AMALT · 25/09/2021 16:52

@femfemlicious

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
that’s not what a&e is for and you know it. People like you are the reason for huge waits in a&e
Draggondragon · 25/09/2021 16:55

Yes. My sister in law died from ovarian cancer pre Covid by begging 6 different GPS over 5 years to refer her. They said it was peri menopause and refused. She was 44 with a 2 year old. Her husband didn't even know he had Bupa with his job but finally she saw a proper doctor and by then was stage 4 and died within 3 months.

IsabelBeck · 25/09/2021 17:25

that’s not what a&e is for and you know it. People like you are the reason for huge waits in a&e

Rubbish. Poor primary care (some GP practices) are a huge reason for the above.

Minfilia · 25/09/2021 17:32

OP I went private in similar circumstances 2 years ago.

Consult, removal and biopsy cost around £600.

Happily it was fine but I’m glad I got it checked because it looked incredibly nasty.

CarrotSticks23 · 25/09/2021 17:45

It doesn't really sound like he has properly tried the GP. No GP is going to turn away a mole that has massively increased in size

Get him in some good light, take some photos and call the GP first thing Monday.

I don't think its appropriate to go to A&E in your DHs case, however actually if someone turns up to A&E with suspected cancer they often wouldn't be turned away. It can be really difficult to access primary care right now and this is recognised. If someone really cannot get into their GP, and cannot afford private care than I would argue A&E is appropriate. You wouldn't get your mole removed but often would get a referral to the appropriate speciality. The NHS does not fuck around with cancer

Original poster
JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 25/09/2021 18:16

@Bungleandgeorge I just saw it was the mole, DH knew what it was as it's on his face and told them a month ago. He is taking responsibility by doing an econsult, trying to take photos, responding to their emails, ringing repeatedly and attempting another e consult.

He is not being pandered to, he's someone who characteristically puts himself last.

8am is when he is doing the school run and I can't cover as I work in education so cannot leave for work later. He's now emailed again and will ring them as soon as he can on Mon.

The eye clinic rang back and were very nice but said he needs to speak to GP and to tell GP receptionist the eye clinic thought he was a priority for F2F appt.

OP posts:
SkiingIsHeaven · 25/09/2021 18:23

Took me 6 and a half hours to get through to my GP yesterday. Utterly ridiculous.

Go straight to A and E.

If you get any comments,which you won't, give them your GP's number and ask them to call them.

Good luck. I'm sure everything will be fine.

Sommernacht89 · 25/09/2021 18:28

Go private.I have given up getting a GP appointment.The NHS is kaputt.

DerAlteMann · 25/09/2021 18:46

Why couldn't you have taken a photo to send to the GP? Why can't you do it now?

TintinIsBack · 25/09/2021 18:51

Go private.
Seriously, it’s almost impossible to see a gp and he already has been waiting 4weeks.
Don’t wait more.

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