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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think i shouldnt have to pay £120 for a mole removal??

57 replies

lisad123isgoingcrazy · 14/09/2010 16:44

I have been to GP 3 times about a mole and finally insisted they remove it, as its not circular, its scabby, it bleed and itches. Im sure its fine but know how much i was allowed to get sunburnt as a child and would rather be safe.
GP told me that if he cant get hospital to agree to remove it, if he cant conviece them its a risk I have to pay £120 to have it removed as its classed as "cosmetic".

This is a new rule from Nov last year so if they had done it first time I could have got it free.

AIBU because it could be just cosmetic.

OP posts:
MisterW · 14/09/2010 16:52

If it's not a risk then why should it be removed for free?

natandchris10 · 14/09/2010 16:53

YABU if it is cosmetic..the NHS shouldnt have to pay for procedures which are not detrimental or a risk to ones health

YANBU if it is a health risk.

abr1de · 14/09/2010 16:54

We have had big problems getting a large lump removed from my husband's shoulder. It's not malignant and even though it is starting to make some movements hard for him we were told it was not possible to do it on the NHS. Fine, we thought, we'll use our private policy. They won't do it, either. I can see we will have to pay for it ourselves, even though it is now almost the size of a golf ball and will eventually mean my poor husband starts to suffer pain and restriction. If he suffers pain I imagine the NHS might cover it. :(

I know where you're coming from.

PerpetuallyAnnoyedByHeadlice · 14/09/2010 16:55

YANBU to be taking this mole seriously, I would be worried ny this one too.

Has it been tested/biopsied? If not press for this, THEN if it is harmless, YABU to expect it to be removed on the NHS

creampie · 14/09/2010 16:58

No, you're right. Everything should be freely available on the NHS, whether it be mole removal or life-saving cancer treatment. Why should things be rationed or a line be drawn? After all we've paid our taxes.....

sigh...

StealthPolarBear · 14/09/2010 17:02

hang on a minute
think the OP is worried about them getting it WRONG
after all if there's a small chance it might be cancer then removing it early seems the sensible thing
OP hopefully it won't come to that, and your GP will convince them it's a risk

StealthPolarBear · 14/09/2010 17:03

Perpetully, can a "harmless" mole not become cancerous?
My dad had some cysts in his arm removed simply to remove the risk

Original poster
lisad123isgoingcrazy · 14/09/2010 17:07

either way i will get it removed, not happy to leave it. OUr GP is pretty terrible anyways. I understand it could be cosmetic though. They will test it if they remove it

OP posts:
BonniePrinceBilly · 14/09/2010 17:07

Yes it could, but my liver "could" also become cancerous, should the NHS remove that if I want?

Pony up the cash and stop whining.

StealthPolarBear · 14/09/2010 17:08

yes but surely the risk isn't really comparable

this is a mole that has changed & itches & bleeds - warning signs

not wanting to worry you OP but can see why you feel as you do

Original poster
lisad123isgoingcrazy · 14/09/2010 17:10

im not worried stealth, had one removed when i was younger it was fine.
thanks bonnie but i wouldnt ask them to remove any of my normal looking ones, just one thats a bit odd.

OP posts:
Capelli · 14/09/2010 17:11

lisa, I was told I had to pay something like £400 a few years ago to have 4 moles/bumps removed. I agreed. I had them removed. I never received a bill (which I never chased up).

I hope you & your DH are doing ok.

Original poster
lisad123isgoingcrazy · 14/09/2010 17:11

Bonnie if your worried about your liver you really should drink that wine Wink thanks for the comment though, I'll be sure to pony up the cash from my bottom.

OP posts:
Original poster
lisad123isgoingcrazy · 14/09/2010 17:12

runs to tell capelli GP to make her pony up the cash too

OP posts:
diddl · 14/09/2010 17:13

Isn´t your GP going to refer you to a consultant who will decide whether it is medically necessary or not?

Capelli · 14/09/2010 17:15

Bonnie, supposing lisa just doesn't have 120 quid to 'pony up'? Hmm She has a mole which scabs, bleeds and itches. Surely it should be treated?

Sassybeast · 14/09/2010 17:15

I'd definately want a specialist consultant to be the one deciding if the mole is dangerous or not rather than a GP.

Original poster
lisad123isgoingcrazy · 14/09/2010 17:17

When I was younger they just removed it on GP say so and sent for tests, thought it was done that way, is it not?
And no your right I certainly dont have £120 to get it done and im sure im not the only one.

OP posts:
CaptainKirksNipples · 14/09/2010 17:19

Do you have a history of skin cancer in your family? My sis, dad and uncle have all had malignant ones removed, and another in my close family has only a few months to live. Because of this I have any concerns with moles taken very seriously.

I had one removed on my foot for free but had nothing wrong with it. I'm not sure why you have only been to the GP though, I would ask to be referred to a skin specialist and then go from there.

Kathyjelly · 14/09/2010 17:20

Ask your GP to put in writing to you that the mole definitely is not dangerous and therefore cannot be removed on the NHS.

If the doctor has the conviction to put his conclusion in writing, then he really is certain.

expatinscotland · 14/09/2010 17:20

YANBU!

Moles should not bleed or itch.

Changes in moles are a sign of abnormality.

Original poster
lisad123isgoingcrazy · 14/09/2010 17:22

no history of skin cancers, other cancers but not skin. I fi dont hear in a few weeks will go back and bug them.
I was in the generation before the suncream police and often remember having sunstroke a number of times over the summers :(

OP posts:
diddl · 14/09/2010 17:22

Well the GP either has the knowledge to decide or he doesn´t & must refer.

Either way, you obviously can´t get it done on the NHS just because it´s what you want!

Scuttlebutter · 14/09/2010 17:23

You've said "could" which implies doubt. Where in the process are you? Is your GP flat out refusing to refer you to a dermatologist? Or is he/she simply explaining what the consequences will be if you see a skin specialist and they decide it's not a medical issue, after appropriate examination/biopsy?

I'm really not sure if you are cheesed off about having to pay, or cheesed off about GP's seemingly dismissive approach to warning signs?

Your health is precious. If your GP is fannying about, and you are seriously worried about this mole, go and see a skin specialist privately. Have the mole examined/biopsied and removed if necessary. If it's cancerous, it'll be the best money you've ever spent. If not, you'll have got rid of an annoying problem.

Original poster
lisad123isgoingcrazy · 14/09/2010 17:23

Capelli thanks dh isnt doing too great but thats another thread.

OP posts: