To want to complain to the gp? Possible cancer referral

[caniquitwork]

Went to the gp 21st of October about a mole, they said they’d consult dermatology. Didn’t hear anything so went back yesterday to ask about it, receptionist looked at the screen and I could see there was something. She said she’d message the gp to contact me. I then looked at the nhs app and a letter from dermatology was uploaded on the 18th of November, saying I should be seen urgently.
Should it not have been down to the gp to tell me about this? I haven’t had a letter with the hospital appointment but mail in our area is terrible so I might have missed it - if I had known about it I could have done something!
or is it just the patient’s responsibility now to check everything?

Dermatology should have sent you an appointment. It’s not up to the GP to book the appointment

It's only a few days from 18th November now!

Am not sure what you are expecting the GP to do here. Dermatology have said they want to see you urgently so it's on them to book the appointment. GPs work is done.

And yes, there is an expectation you keep track of things yourself.

It’s not for the GP to give you a follow up appointment - dermatology need to contact you if they want to see you.

You should be able to see referrals in the NHS app and what stage they are at.

But if you are concerned then there should be a medical secretary at your GP, they usually chase referrals and in my experience are very good at giving answers and reassurance about referrals, appointments and waiting lists.

In my area some departments are so overrun that even the 2 week cancer pathway is more like 6-8 weeks. One of the most frustrating things about the NHS is their communication.

You should have been told. I think it’s a mistake to not let you know. Good luck, hope you get seen quickly.

I've been refered under the two week suspected cancer route twice and both times after the initial GP appointment all correspondence and communication was with the relevant hospital department not the GP.

It’s only been a few days, your appointment letter is probably still on the way.

No I wouldn't have thought this was down to the GP. Whenever I've needed referrals, the GP does the referral and then the hospital or clinic receiving the referral does the contact once they have agreed to take on my case, and worked out an appointment time. As others have said a letter is probably on the way.

18th is not that long ago. The NHS are stretched and delays and mistakes happen. I had to chase dermatology several times before I got an appointment. I'm now dealing with dermatology and oncology and sometimes communication is not great. I check the app daily when I'm expecting an appointment and would never complain unless a really serious mistake occurred. I hope all goes well when you are seen by the dermatologist.

When the dermatology department said you should be seen urgently, who did they say should see you? If it was them, I would expect them to contact you direct to make an appointment.

What do you mean 'I could have done something'? Normally the GP refers to a specialist and then the specialist gets in touch with an appointment. Does the letter say you should be making the appointment? If not, just wait, they will be in touch.

I appreciate it's scary and I'm sorry you're going through this.

So the referral was made by gp but dermatology response was slow. Just because the letter was dated 18th does not mean it was only actioned then. Many nhs letters are outsourced and take a while to filter through. If you use the nhs app that letter would appear there before any hard copy arrived. An appointment will presumably follow.