Hi this is quite long. Apologies. My parents live in a different part of Uk. They are both in 70s. My dad fell almost 3 months ago and injured his back. After a few days of severe pain he went to A&E and had x ray. Was told being referred to orthopaedics. No treatment given.,Saw orthopaedics about 3 weeks later who said possible spinal fracture and referred for urgent MRI. Told to not drive , bathe and given a brace. No pain relief given. Saw gp and given v strong painkillers like morphine. MRI was 6 weeks later. In meantime my dad has been in a lot of pain and not eating v well. 3 weeks ago saw my dad and was shocked how much weight he had lost in a month. I encouraged my mum to take him to gp which she did just over 2 weeks ago. Gp told my mum news not good. MRI showed up something and he was getting blood tests and a full body cut scan. My dad is very deaf and rarely wears his hearing aid( allergy) and so he didn't hear what was said and he isn't type to ask questions. Gp spoke mainly to my mum. My mum called me after appointment and told me it was what we were fearing. She was trying not to say word in front of dad. I said cancer? She said yes he thinks , it's word beginning with m. I said metastases? She said yes. When my mum was able to talk again without my dad I asked her to go to gp surgery and request copy of MRI report, X-ray report and blood tests he had in the last year. She went and only asked for MRI report but they refused after checking with gp and said gp couldn't release even if had letter from dad as was a hospital report. This sounded wrong. They said consultant at hospital would explain scan the following week. Mum and dad attended consultant last week and he said scan showed fracture and nothing to worry about come back in 2 months. Mum explained gp had arranged blood tests and whole body ct scan and consultant said must be because of weight loss. Mum asked to see copy of MRI report and consultant said she would have apply to hospital MRI dept. They left. No discussion about pain relief. My dad is still in a lot of pain and now spends day of his day in bed. Mum decided she would speak to gp as consultant hadnt told her what was on MRI. Today she spoke to gp who said only one blood test was raised for the bowel. She didn't ask about that. He asked her what consultant had said and she told him. All gp said is I am going back to consultant to clarify something about MRI. Dad has his full body ct in 2 weeks and will get results 2 weeks later. I explained to my mum that he gp should explain what he is looking for . Can't suggest metastases then not explain. Gps don't order expensive full body ct if there is no need and referral wouldn't be accepted by hospital as urgent unless reason in form was valid. My mum refuses to call back and request copy of MRI report. An SAR will take up to 40 days so no point. I know I can't do anything. GP won't speak to me unless Dad gave permission and to get that I would have to tell my dad which my mum doesn't want. I know I just have to wait another month. I just feel gp is being evasive. Why did he need to know what hospital had told her? Feel better just typing this out. My mum is obviously frightened of asking questions and is old achool that don't question a doctor.