What the fuck do I do?

[Bakewellisntjustacake]

I have suspected lymphoma but they can't rule out breast cancer because after my MRI which showed 3 big lymph nodes in my neck and chest, I did a breast exam and found a sizeable lump that I hadn't noticed previously . My issue is my referral to the breast clinic has been cancelled because the hospital I have been referred to has been inundated with covid patients and they've moved staff from out patients to covid wards.

They have cancelled my Wednesday appointment and rebooked me for November, all the rapid access appointments have been cancelled and my county won't allow my GP to refer out of area. My Gp is beside herself because she's so angry, but says there is nothing she can do other than write me a letter I can take to other hospitals. I have 4 hospitals near me but none can accept a direct referral from my GP because they're not in the same area.

I've written to my MP to complain but it just feels like an absolute death sentence

This is utterly horrifying - I am a clinically vulnerable person at risk from Covid but my greatest fear is not being able to access diagnostics and treatment for a life limiting illness such as cancer - 1 in 2 of us will be diagnosed in our lifetime. The risk from Covid pales into insignificance. I am waiting for to be seen by Spinal orthopaedics for a long term problem, unlikely to be seen until next year it seems. OP start with formal complaint, copy in the Chief Exec and insist on an out of area referral from your GP

Going to be unpopular, by why don't they make people being treated for Covid who CHOOSE not to have a vaccine go private?
Why make cancer/suspected cancer and other life threatening illnesses go private or just wait and die untreated, when these people had the choice to be vaccinated. A vaccine which is shown to drastically reduce the severity of the illness.
They are choosing to risk it and get that sick, so should pay for their care.

OP - appalling. I hope you can get see quickly.

@CharlotteUnaNatalieThompson

I want GP, some type of nationwide triage services (surely this is possible) and diagnostic services prioritised so those at greatest risk of loss of life can be seen, diagnosed and found an appropriate treatment centre

Good idea in principle but where I work patients often won't even travel to the hospital that isn't their closest one for a sooner appointment (we have several within 25 miles offering the same appointments within the same trust), so no way would a national triage system that might send someone from Devon to Manchester (for example) be practical.

However it certainly should be possible for GPs to refer out of area for those patients who are prepared for this, although in practical terms I suspect the local CCGs can set their own rules on this...

If the patient doesn't want to travel that is their choice (hospital transport is available where essential). I do a 630 mile round trip to attend a specialist service at the only clinic that treats a rare condition I have. It knocks me out for weeks but my other option is no treatment.

I'll back away from commenting further (on more inflammatory posts at least - which yours definitely isnt) as I'm not helping the OP and that is the only reason I joined the thread.

@changeyourname11111

I second the Go Fund Me page and will contribute. Happy to help set it up if you need.

Also for your sister @ghostyslovesheets.

Thank you. Ill wait and see if the OP thinks this is an acceptable solution for her to at least get a diagnosis.

I have the time to rtft. Just writing to support your efforts. Do all you can to push this

I had a referral that got lost in the wind due to the March 2020 lockdown. I didn't chase as I didn't realise it was serious. My doc had to refer again 2 months ago. I am now finally on a quicker cancer pathway due to another doctor (who did another x ray) advocating for me and realising the potential severity in my situation. I honestly cannot thank him enough because my original hospital consultant appointment was sent to me for late September, but he did some 'back channel' talk to get me into another hospital much quicker. He said he tried my original hospital but the were not responding to him. It's more likely to be benign so I'm trying to be optimistic, but with two young DC you can imagine where thoughts end up.

This is where I am now afraid as DC are going into school next week and I cannot catch Covid or this might delays things more! (But that's a separate rant that where I see logic on all sides of the argument)

I don't have*

We shouldn't be having to use go fund me options for what should be essential high priority health care. I am appalled and shocked op, and deeply angry on your behalf.

I second the media campaign. Do the go fund me anyway, regardless of principle and move heaven and earth to be seen. A date in November, that is unbelievable and unthinkable in your position. What has the world come to.

I don’t usually advocate for involving your MP but this is one of those situations where contacting your MP and asking them to intercede on your behalf may prove useful.

If the patient doesn't want to travel that is their choice

@TILFA this doesn't stop the clock though, the patient can still demand to be seen in their closest hospital, which means you'd still end up with unequal access to certain hospitals - where I am we often have longer waits at one site despite free appointments at another, although this varies and isn't consistently the same places.

It's different for rare conditions that are only treated in a small number of places (sorry to hear you have to travel so far though that must be super tough), but for common conditions it would be a total minefield. Even though I agree with the principle of your idea in aiming to get rid of geographical inequalities in healthcare.

OP - would one of the breast cancer charities have a helpline that might give you useful advice?

Call us free on 0808 800 6000
Our opening hours are:

Monday to Friday — 9am to 4pm
Saturdays — 9am to 1pm

breastcancernow.org/information-support/support-you/call-our-helpline

Given the crossover possibility (lymphoma/breast cancer) - might Macmillan have some guidance?

Macmillan support services here - with a helpline from 8am -8pm every day, an online chat service and access through email.

www.macmillan.org.uk/

@Bakewellisntjustacake please try a private clinic, I went with a lump and I was seen the following day. The appointment cost £190. They can give you all the costs over the phone . I ended up going via nhs after a discussion with the doctor ad he is the head of the breast clinic for our area and said in my case it would be better via nhs as he wasn’t concerned. I was seen within 9 days!

Wtf this is shocking! Can't believe covid is prioritised over cancer. No advice op but I hope someone listens to you soon, Its appalling it really is

Gosh TILFA. Where did that attack come from? Where was my racism?

I've asked one of my ex colleagues to help and she's got me the number of a secretary of a breast surgeon at a hospital near by. I'm also getting quotes for private appointments for next week. I shouldn't have to pay privately for this but I absolutely will

Let's hope this is a thread the DM pick up for once!

Some NHS specialists also take private patients.

If you can find the money or have a friend relative who can, THIS is the time to raid your emergency fund and pay for a private Consult with top Professor. Now is when to buy the very best expert's appraisal and advice.

A consult costs a few hundred and doesn't commit you to having the rest of the treatment privately.

@MegaClutterSlut

Wtf this is shocking! Can't believe covid is prioritised over cancer. No advice op but I hope someone listens to you soon, Its appalling it really is

Because cancer death numbers don't make the headlines and can be swept under the rug. It's appalling.

Oh do piss off @glitterfarts. Here are some stats from wales at the end of July.

As of July 27 there were 167 inpatients in Welsh hospitals with Covid.

This is how they broke down:

Unvaccinated 28.1% (47)
First jab only 7.2% (12)
Both doses of vaccine 60.5% (101)*
Unknown 4.2% (7)

Rather contradictory of the bullshit you are spouting. I’m not vaccinated. That is my choice. I also don’t use the NHS, again my choice. I dk take a test at the earliest sign of any symptom and I haven’t snuck around to see people I shouldn’t. Even now I don’t go trailing around the shops just for a day out.

Do I begrudge putting my hand in my pocket every month to provide a service I don’t use. No

Do I begrudge contributing towards a fundraiser to get this woman the immediate treatment she needs. No

This thread isn’t about people who are and aren’t vaccinated, wear 37 masks and sanitise their hands 500 times a day from a safe distance of 300m at all times. It’s about getting someone the treatment they need so please take your them and us propaganda to another thread.

Complaints department at your CCG might be helpful too. Wishing you all the best OP

This bullshit has got to come to an end. People are literally dying.

What do you suggest they do to stop hospitals being full of Covid patients?

Could you ring occupational health??? My old trust managed to expedite my surgery to get me back to work as they argued I’d make their waiting list worse if I was off sick,

[quote ilovebrie8]@BobISMyUncle totally agree we are stretched to the limits and cannot cope...the health service is on its knees. How the heck the government thinks it’s ok to add to that by bringing more people in is bonkers....we simply are full to bursting and we don’t need more people when services are struggling already ...it’s sad but true...[/quote]
I often wonder how many children the people who shout that 'the country is full' have.

Gosh. TILFA.. Your attack is misdirected, I think. I hope. My family is not without cancer. I am not your enemy. I don't know you. You do not know me. I don't know the battles that you have. You do not know the battles I have.

I'm glad you are looking at private. Please ask for help go fund if you need it. You won't regret it. What a terrible thing to go through.