To ask what you would make of this

[DoraSpenlow]

Four weeks ago I underwent a procedure to remove a suspected melanoma from my arm. Was told the results would be back in about two weeks. Three weeks passed and I had heard nothing so rang the hospital. They said results weren't back.

Rang again this morning to be told that a letter had been posted to me yesterday with the results. Doctor's Secretary obviously couldn't/wouldn't tell me what the letter said over the phone.

I had been expecting a call from the hospital to say that either it wasn't melanoma or that a further appointment needed to be made to discuss the results. Does writing to me seem an odd way of doing things. I wouldn't expect to be told I have cancer by letter.

The frustrating thing is that we can go days without getting post and as can be imagined I am quite stressed about it all and it already feels like I have been waiting for ever.. Anyone else think this is an odd way of doing things? The hospital rang me to make the appointment for the procedure after I had been referred by my GP, they didn't just send a date through the post.

Sorry, I know I sound a bit paranoid.

Do you have the nhs app? sometimes a scan of a letter is there sooner than it turns up in the post

I had a breast biopsy recently. I waited four weeks for a letter to say it was benign. The date on the letter was four days after I’d had the biopsy. It’s outrageous how long they keep you waiting on something like that. Especially as my Dsis passed away from breast cancer in 2021. I definitely think though that a letter is better news.

I use the Airmid UK app, doctors notes/letters usually on there the same day. Test results similar

Download the NHS app on your phone. All the letters get scanned into there straight away and you can read them immediately.

I have the NHS app but there is nothing on there unfortunately.

Oh that's frustrating - i wish the app. was used consistently

@ArgyMcBargy ring your GP practice. They also get a copy of letters. They may have the outcome.

Sorry that was for @DoraSpenlow

I was referred to have a suspected skin cancer looked at and had a biopsy done: they said that if all ok I would receive a letter in 3-5 weeks or if there was a problem someone would phone or be in touch within 10 days.

Yes. I had an echo carried out at the end of July. The results (which I don't understand) only appeared on the app last week and I still haven't had any letter of explanation. The consultant has been on holiday. It's been a stressful few weeks!

Thank you for that. It gives me some hope.

theres 2 apps one for hospital admin and one for general NHS admin including GP visits. Mine is called mycare but might be different in your area.

They said they had not received anything yet. Apparently they receive stuff through the post, not electronically. It's a bit of a crap surgery to be honest but there is not another option so we are stuck with it. Thank you anyway.

Thank you for that bit of hope.

A bit late now but wouldn't the secretary email it to you?

If it's letter it won't be cancer...or if it is that is shocking form from the hospital. All cancer diagnosis are given face to face, or at least they were in the hospital I worked at until very recently, and the others in MDT group. Normal results come by letter, although I don't understand why the person you spoke to couldn't just read the letter to you over the phone.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

Thankfully a letter has arrived this lunchtime. It was an oddly shaped/coloured mole and benign. No further treatment needed. I can breathe again.

Still nothing on the NHS app and still nothing about the echo I had in July.