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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:
expatinscotland · 14/09/2010 17:23

It doesn't matter if you have a cancer history or not. This mole is showing signs of being abnormal.

Fight your corner, lisa!

This is not cosmetic. This mole should be removed and biopsied.

Don't take no for an answer.

bedlambeast · 14/09/2010 17:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
lisad123isgoingcrazy · 14/09/2010 17:27

my GP never even mentioned referal elsewhere just said thats its unlikely i would be able to have it removed on NHS but can have it done private at cost of £120 and they will test it, thought it was standard practice tbh.
I could ask DH if his work private care would cover skin appointment.

I was cheesed off with having to pay now even more cheesed off with them not referring elsewhere.
My GPs love to fanny around they missed dh cancer 4 times and DD2 pnemonia too. I have little faith in them. BUt again thats another thread!

OP posts:
MrsGokWan · 14/09/2010 17:31

We have a surgeon who comes into the surgery once a month and does all minor ops like mole removal. I have had about a dozen removed and last year he removed a lump the size of a golf ball from my back.

skidoodly · 14/09/2010 17:34

Insist on a referal.

queribus · 14/09/2010 17:57

I've had two moles which are similar to the one you describe. One was removed at the GP surgery by one of the GPs who does minor surgery. Other removed in local hospital.Both biopsied and came back OK.

It is vital you get a referral to dermatologist - is there another GP at your practice? (It does sound like they're crap, though!)

PerpetuallyAnnoyedByHeadlice · 14/09/2010 18:03

Hmm, on further evidence your GP does not sound up to much, I would get a second opinion/referral

lal123 · 14/09/2010 18:05

I'd ask him for a referral. Our local dermatology clinic accepts digital referrals - GP takes picture of offending mole and sends it to dermatologist who is able to assess likely risk

Sassybeast · 14/09/2010 18:07

Definately, definately push for a referral. DH has had a number of suspicious moles and has seen a dermatologist or plastics consultant every time.

giveitago · 14/09/2010 19:50

Lisa - I had a similar mole removed a few years back. I also had to persuade them that it could be something - not because of money, but because they thought I was too dark, too young, too oily skinned etc.

It was cancerous mole. FFS - if he doesn't refer you to the hospital how will they know. - they do a biopsy which is basically removing the mole to see.

Keep pestering away.

FFS Bonnie - hope you don't have health issues in the future that worry you love.

ScaredOfCows · 14/09/2010 19:53

Has anyone had any removed by laser - and if so, is there a scar?

gizzy1973 · 14/09/2010 19:56

I would find another GP and get it looked at and I certainly wouldnt pay for it

nikki1978 · 14/09/2010 19:59

Can't you go to one of those mole clinics as they have specialists who will refer you to get it removed if it is suspicious?

barrygarlow · 14/09/2010 20:03

Sorry I thought this was about garden moles
my mistake

bumpsoon · 14/09/2010 20:25

of course yabu ,you should wait until it turns malignant and the cancer possibly spreads ,then you can have your chemo for free ,much better all round for the nhs [hmmmm]

tholeon · 14/09/2010 20:36

I would ask to see a different GP if yours won't refer you.

I think that you can Google the NICE guidelines for when referrel should be made if there is a cancer risk. Or look it up on Cancer Research's website perhaps?

Good luck, stand your ground.

lifeinlimbo · 14/09/2010 20:48

I had one that looked different and it was removed. They did it within weeks, at the doctors surgery. Took about 10 minutes. Not painful.

SOC - it was frozen off. There was a light coloured scar but thb this is less visible than the mole was.

OP YANBU! Sounds like a biopsy would be good too. And a change of doctor.

Snobear4000 · 14/09/2010 20:50

YANBU. By your post, you already know that a mole that is "not circular, its scabby, it bleed and itches" needs a biopsy. Go to another GP. Get it seen to. If it happens to be malignant, make a novelty-prize-cheque sized copy of the results and present it to the original GP.

It'll probably be alright but you have to know. GP is a twunt of the highest order.

Mum72 · 14/09/2010 21:01

So if you have this COSMETIC surgery - do they just remove the mole or does your £120 fee include it being looked at to make sure its not cancerous. If they find it to be cancerous - do you get a refund??

Mowiol · 14/09/2010 21:02

I wonder if this is a postcode lottery issue?
I have had 2-3 biopsies done on suspicious skin blemishes after referral to Dermatology.
All were fine and I certainly did not have to pay. It's not a matter of "cosmetic" removal so much as investigation.
Chase it up by getting another appointment with different GP at surgery.

Original poster
lisad123isgoingcrazy · 14/09/2010 21:05

LOL @refund. Yes £120 includes testing it to.

OP posts:
bigstripeytiger · 14/09/2010 21:22

It sounds from your post like your GP has referred you.
When he said that you would have to pay if he cant get the hospital to agree to remove it then that implies that he is going to ask the hospital ie refer you.

Original poster
lisad123isgoingcrazy · 14/09/2010 21:26

Im hoping he has managed to get hospital to agree but made it clear that he didnt think they would do it and would cost if i wanted it done.

OP posts:
QuickLookBusy · 14/09/2010 21:33

Def ask for a second opinion-you are intitled to one.

My DD is having a mole removed next month, by our GP. It has changed recently and has bled sightly once.

GP has said he is 99% sure it is ok, but he said better to be safe than sorry.

It sounds like you need to change your GP.

giveitago · 14/09/2010 21:36

But that's mad.

I have loads of moles but this was different, irregular etc. I went to gp when I was pregnant (I'd tried to ignore it up till then) - the first gp said - it looks fine. I said - look again. She said she wasn't sure. She called in another gp - he walked in and said no way - too dark and too young. I said, take a look - he had a proper look and then basically said - OK -emergency dermatology appointment at hospital.

I went to hospital two weeks later. I walk in - the doctor says, too young, too dark. I say, please look at it - she's not sure so calls in another doctor - he does something (with a spray) and yup - it needs to come off. It came off the following week. It was a basal cell carcinoma. All gone in that 10 min local jab - little cut and 4 stitches job.

I'vebeen under dermatology since - but you see someone different every time. I've even had someone say - too young too dark - and they've recalled the biopsy to take another look. It's still a bcc.

Well my advise is to create hell and insist and you should not pay - not at all.