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

[JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff]

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

@femfemlicious

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

That is no a route to the correct specialist. They will send you back to GP (I know from experience)

As an update - and thanks for everyone who made suggestions - after trying all yesterday and this morning he finally got through and can see a GP on Friday!

I am worried at this is now extending it by effectively another week. I am not a medic but believe skin cancer can spread very fast. But it's better than nothing.

Hope you get some reassurance on Friday, OP. Do let us know

Hi, last update and thanks everyone!

He had a GP appt today that actually turned out to be with a paramedic as apparently he is the one who deals with skin lesions (nope, me either!) and he said it is a non-cancerous lesion. He said where DH has it is quite rare so it was not unreasonable to think cancer as normally this type of lesion is on the body.

It is likely to continue growing and may cause some discomfort.

The NHS will not take it further however even if it does grow as it is not cancer. If it obscures his vision we can try asking but we would likely have to do private. It will likely cost £1.5-2k from what I can see.

We cannot afford that right now but will save up as DH says it is constantly in his line of sight and is annoying.

Thanks again to everyone who posted!

Im glad he was seen finally and that its not cancer.

The NHS won't help with something that obscures vision? That's hardly cosmetic surgery is it?

The NHS will not take it further however even if it does grow as it is not cancer. If it obscures his vision we can try asking but we would likely have to do private. It will likely cost £1.5-2k from what I can see

The paramedic can tell you with complete certainty that (a) it's not skin cancer and (b) the NHS won't treat it even if it's obscuring his vision?

I wouldn't be taking his word on it for (a) or (b).

I’d get a second opinion.