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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be frightened and upset by NHS response?

106 replies

Rhioplepog · 19/12/2021 20:04

For background I have been having random spotting throughout cycle and sometimes after sex. Went to GP who was great saw me same day, examined me and immediately sent me for colposcopy and Gynae specialist as a two week wait, she said she couldn’t see anything on my cervix but that this needed immediate attention. I was sent for blood tests also.

Im a nurse who used to work in oncology. I know 2 week waits should be taken seriously as cancer is a possibility. My GP said it’s unlikely, as I’m 35, but nevertheless possible. Possibly due to my old job I have sensitivity around this, but I keep worrying, thinking what if something is wrong and I need urgent treatment? I have 2 little kids to look after.

This was 4 weeks ago, and I have no appointment. The sent me a letter saying they would be in touch with an appointment by 3rd of December. I called the hospital and there is a recorded message saying saying they will be in touch in due course. So I stayed on and got through to another department who wouldn’t discuss with me. Friday I spent hours trying to speak to GP for help, couldn’t get through, then got cut off. Then couldn’t get through again etc.

I am starting to get more and more anxious as time passes. Tomorrow I will try again and I will also call the patient liaison people for help.

I know Covid a thing, but AIBU to feel this is really shoddy and needlessly horrible for someone?

OP posts:

Foolsrule · 19/12/2021 21:40

This is so sad to read. I was referred for something similar earlier in the year. Interestingly was told it wasn’t urgent and has a scan/internal scan at 4 weeks after the initial GP appointment. Had to go back 6 weeks later and didn’t hear re the second appointment after five weeks. Phoned and they got me in that week, so actually just under 6 weeks later. All fine in the end. How can that be possible if mine wasn’t urgent, but yours is and they can’t do anything? I’d happily have given you my appointments if you’d been local! Fingers crossed for you.

Smileyaxolotl1 · 19/12/2021 21:44

Hi - I had a 2 ww skin cancer referral and when I phoned the relevant dept they said I was on the list but 2ww was currently over 6ww. They also suggested I go to a different hospital. I managed to speak to the other larger hospital and get my gp to refer me there where I had the appt 5 days later. Be the squeaky wheel. Xx

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 19/12/2021 21:44

Go private if you can possibly afford it.
I got biopsy results back (negative) on Friday after seeing the gp in July. It would have been at least two months longer only I paid for a private ultrasound.
Greatly regret not going private with everything from the word go because although I have no malignancy I have been bleeding severely enough for an emergency admission and yet they still bumped me from the list for the ‘urgent’ ablation I am meant to be having tomorrow.
You can’t afford to trust that the NHS will look after you. It won’t.

Staryflight445 · 19/12/2021 21:47

I had to wait 3 weeks for my colposcopy. However, I am pregnant and had heavy bleeding after sex, during an internal exam it was found that I have cells on my cervix that were worryingly bright red and across the whole surface. The doctor thought it could be cancerous.

Thankfully all was fine, I hope you’re ok too op.
The waiting times really do suck at the moment.

myyellowcar · 19/12/2021 21:48

OP PALS can help look into this for you and get some answers

SweetBabyCheeses99 · 19/12/2021 21:49

It may as well be called the National Covid Service. Maybe they might have bucked their ideas up a bit had people not been calling them heroes and standing in the streets to applaud them.

GoodnightGrandma · 19/12/2021 21:54

I can assure you that NHS staff are as frustrated at the situation as everyone else.

KatyRebecca84 · 19/12/2021 21:58

Has the spotting been since your Covid vaccine as lots of people have had this. I also had spotting as a teenager which turned out to be pre cancerous changes on my cervix which is common and I am sure even if this is the case for you, it will be caught early especially if the GP couldn’t see anything.

Complain to pals they’ll sort it quite swiftly

MaybeAMoaner · 19/12/2021 22:00

I’ve had cervical cancer (age 37) and the person who did the smear test could tell.
So maybe you’ll be very early in stages.
Although I had no symptoms whatsoever.

I found the admin side of things was a very big let down. Had to keep chasing appointments and results etc.
I had my hysterectomy in October and haven’t heard anything since despite them telling me I’d get histology reports 2 weeks post op and a follow up meeting 7 weeks post op (it’s now been 10 weeks)
It is a shit show.

Good luck to you.

RosesAndHellebores · 19/12/2021 22:09

You are a nurse. This is what the public face all the time. I am sorry you are married but presumably as someone employed by the NHS you know the ropes to get something sorted out.

Branleuse · 19/12/2021 22:10

Its almost impossible to access decent healthcare anymore.

GotToGoBye · 19/12/2021 22:11

Here it is 8 weeks for suspected skin cancer for first appointment. About 4 weeks for breast lump, suspected cancer.
Prostate cancer was well over 8 weeks at one point.

Don’t call your GP (as long as they sent the referral as 2 week wait), they can’t “upgrade” above urgent suspected cancer and they are inundated with similar, from people waiting up to 5 years for routine appointments and people discharged from waiting lists, without actually being seen.

Ring PALS and your MP. It’s awful for people waiting and doesn’t help efficiency at all.

CheshireKitten123 · 19/12/2021 22:14

The GP followed the correct procedure and referred you under the 'Two week rule.'
Unfortunately there isn't any more to do except wait in line unless you can afford to have private treatment.
If you have worked in Oncology you'll know that cancer of the cervix has a very good prognosis if caught early. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

Stopsnowing · 19/12/2021 22:26

Contact pals. You know this.

milly74 · 19/12/2021 22:26

And they want to increase NI payments lol

milly74 · 19/12/2021 22:27

@SweetBabyCheeses99

It may as well be called the National Covid Service. Maybe they might have bucked their ideas up a bit had people not been calling them heroes and standing in the streets to applaud them.

100 per cent this

Alexandra2001 · 19/12/2021 22:31

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

daisypond · 19/12/2021 22:33

I’ve just been referred under two-week wait. Saw GP in person on Friday-same day I phoned - have hospital appointment on Tuesday.

Lovemusic33 · 19/12/2021 22:35

I had the same symptoms 2 years ago, I waited a year just to be sent to gynaecology (covid slowed things down), had colposcopy which didn’t find much. 6 months ago I had ablation surgery and was sterilised, I’m still having some symptoms (spotting) but not as bad as before. I posted in MN many times about my issues, and people were shocked how long I had to wait to be seen. I feel angry that so many women have to wait before being seen.

Hope you get seen soon, try not to worry, in my case it wasn’t cancer or anything serious (just annoying).

Blinkingbatshit · 19/12/2021 22:37

Oh OP - I’m sorry you find yourself in this situation. I was recently referred under the 2ww and when I eventually twigged it was going to be a long wait I went private and got an appointment the next day. Yes, it’s a shit show at the moment, but as a nurse you’ll know it’s not the fault of those at the coalface who are mostly doing their best. Those who say they won’t adhere to a new lockdown - do you not understand that this is one of the problems you’ll be causing?! Have a friend who works as a nurse in A&e - she says that patients are being vile at the moment because they’ve often had to wait so long….but it’s not the fault of those trying to help them once they get seen - it’s all so bloody sad.

WithASpider · 19/12/2021 22:40

I've got the same symptoms OP. Went to the GP in March who did swabs and referred me to Gynae. Saw them in June where I had a biopsy (no results yet) and they requested a scan. I still haven't had it.
The scan date has been moved twice now and I've got no faith the current appointment will happen.

I know they're under pressure but this is ridiculous.

Gensola · 19/12/2021 22:42

I’m so sorry - the NHS is broken beyond repair. I’d be dead if I hadn’t paid for private health. It is a complete disgrace. Not the fault of any of the amazing nurses, doctors and all the other staff, it’s the whole system.

HollywoodTease · 19/12/2021 22:44

I am also currently on the 2-week gynae pathway currently although I'm older than you (57). Referred for post-menstrual bleeding which I'm fairly certain is related to my covid booster.

I requested an e-consult last Monday (13th), spoke to my GP on Tuesday afternoon. Rang for a bloods appt on Wed and that's booked for the 24th. GP referred me to gynae and my scan appointment cane through yesterday for the 29th.

So far so good, the system seems to be working OK here. I'm worried that my appointments may get cancelled yet though, as I've heard of that happening to others.

My GP did say that if I hadn't had the gynae letter by New Year I should go back to her to chase it rather than try to do it myself though, so my advice would be to keep ringing your surgery, or if they have the e-consult system use that.

Good luck OP!

KurtWildesChristmasNamechange · 19/12/2021 22:46

I was told my abdominal ultrasound results would be back within a week. It's taken 5 weeks and almost daily nagging of my GP to please chase it up, before they finally put my mind at rest. 5 weeks of turning myself inside out with worry. I'm sorry you're going through this OP, it's shite.

RussianSpy101 · 19/12/2021 22:48

If you’re able I would really advice you to go private.
We now do this for our children and we’ve been seen within 1-2 days every time. Annoyingly, by the same consultant that would’ve seen them through the NHS but just much, much quicker.

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