Hospital Appointment wait time

[Marnie1909103]

just wondering whether 4 weeks for an ENT appointment would be classed as urgent?
my son had a dermatology appointment 2 weeks ago to have what we was too was a cyst removed. At the appointment the dermatologist said it wasn’t a cyst and she couldn’t say what it was but she has referred us to ENT and the referral letter states enlarged firm but mobile lymph node that is growing. She said the appointment could take a while but we have received one for 2 weeks time which is just over 4 weeks since referral. I am now worried about it
Thanks

Noone can really tell you here

Depends on the hospital, the doctor and the waiting list

if it was for my hospital than yes I would say it was quick as my daughter is 6 and still waiting was told could take 36 weeks to be seen.

Thanks you for your replies, when referring us the consultant said she would leave us open to dermatology for another 12 months in case we don’t get an appointment in the time as they are extremely busy. So I am assuming that this has been done quite urgently which is why I am worrying. I know I won’t know anything properly until the appointment.

Completely depends on your area I think. DH has been waiting on ENT in our area for 18months. When he asked for an update on wait times he was told they’re currently on “around 120 weeks” 😳 We ended up paying for private.
Have no idea how it works with children though - they could take priority? Or there could have been a cancellation and he’s just got on the list in time to grab it?

I hope it’s all nothing and they’re just being over cautious for your son. I won’t tell you not to worry, as I know that’s impossible when it comes to your children but try and think of the positives - if it’s anything that does need attention then they’re on it quickly ❤️ Please come back and let us know how he gets on!

It really depends on your hospital wait times. Here it would be likely the referral has been triaged as an urgent AND there was a suitable appointment available when the referral was processed - (so yes maybe a cancellation in a clinic with an ENT consultant that mostly sees children or a new clinic had been opened) which is great as he will be seen quickly and either you will be reassured quickly or maybe an ultrasound etc might be booked to continue investigations. Either way this is much better than waiting for months. Our routines are about 42 weeks and adult urgents 15 weeks.

Remember A quick appointment time doesn't necessarily mean something serious is wrong. Sometimes it means a serious condition is ruled out quickly. Sometimes it is because they've just employed another member of staff or someone has returned from sick leave or maternity leave and they've been able to create more slots.

My daughter was seen recently by ent about 4 weeks after the referral was made. It wasn't really urgent and they have discharged her without treatment. I think appointments often come through faster if you are referred internally within the hospital rather than by the GP.

Thank you all for your replies, my anxiety was really bad when I posted. We had waited 19 months for the dermatology appointment after being told it was a sebaceous cyst, it’s now doubled in size. I have tried to get a copy of the initial ultrasound findings but gp surgery are saying that they don’t have it which made me worry more.