Urgent referral 2 weeks! It’s been nearly 4 ???

[Bubblegum80]

Hi ladies
Anyone else had an urgent referral from gp for suspected cancer and waited longer that the advised 2 weeks ? I had several red flags and tests ..
My symptoms are worsening and I contacted gp surgery other day an secretary was no help even tho, I’m waiting actually nearly 4 weeks now ? Just wondered if anyone else waited longer than the advised or what should I do? I was going to call gp tomorrow and try for an appt now symptoms are mounting. Thanks xx

You need to phone everyone and not give up till they give you an appt.
Phone the hospital if you know which dept, and your GP.

What are your symptoms and what do they suspect?

It may be that someone has looked at your referral docs and decided it's not that urgent but your GP is the one who ought to be in control and pushing this for you.

Don't speak to the admin person at the surgery- either go in person or book an emergency appt with your GP, or demand a phone consultation saying it's very urgent re your referral.

When you say the secretary was no help did she confirm the referral had actually been sent?

I agree with jingle phone and speak to a dr today. If there are no appointments ask to be put on the Duty Drs call list.

Find out where the referrals go and ring them. Some go to a central office that deals with referrals and it might have been missed

I would email the practice manager and ask how this fits in to the 2 week referral guidelines in the first instance.

Was this referral at your request, OP? Or was it suggested by the GP?

Hi guys
Thanks for all the replies ... 🥰
Ok to shed some light on my situation
I can’t stress enough I’m not the “pandantic kind” lol or a pushy person by nature. I’m also a disaster with the doctor an never bother going unless I have absolutely no choice.
2 years ago developed a lump type feeling in my throat ,
Especially after eating, it’s been awful, only this past September i saw ent they said was “globus “ it’s a lump feeling thingy brought on by stress🙄they said ,
but come back if it hasn’t subsided an made me an appt for 12 weeks later,
at this point it was still there but more frequent so they said need to get booked in for a barium swallow , (internal xray thingy) lol still waiting on that lol
So then in December I started to notice I was passing blood when going to the toilet (stools sorry tmi) add to that abdo cramps terrible back cramps, irregular periods , then Bowel habits went totally out of whack and crazy ,
It’s like a I constantly have a bug type feeling, then I’ve lost 3 stone since jan with out much effort, the lump in my throat is so bad now, I’ve actually got doctor today, as I’ve the most unbearable ear ache and sore throat...
But I have awful chest tightness to, lower abdo pains in ovary region , stabbing pain in under right shoulder blade I get so fatigued easily and the night sweats are awful, but I am 38 have 4 children 1 to 8 years old , and a busy farmers wife and I work. And I just figured , oh I’m peri menopausal lol
But further on into this, An the symptoms mounting,
I can see something badly needs looked.
Still passing blood, the pains, sweats, bad appetite, throat is annoying me, Bowel habits are nuts and weird.
So gp said ok you haven’t had your throat seen yet properly but let’s start by sending you for urgent referral though the red flag system. As you meet the criteria.
So I appreciate system is stretched and just wondered is anyone else like me waiting, or had experience of it taking weeks longer.
I have my gp today at 4, I will be putting the pressure on, as I actually feel totally wore out an ran down with all going on. Add to that this Paddy 4 days sore throat , ear ache which thrive and right side of neck is slightly swollen and tight and sore.
I’m generally healthy and always up and running about with the kids.
Just so frustrated and stressed out with this I just want answers now at this point.
Sorry for venting but thanks ever so much for all the replies !
The Gp said referral is to a gastro doctor, as he can check bowels and my oesophagus and see what’s going on.
I’m hoping it’s ulcers or polyps causing the bleed, in my stomach, but the throat is a mystery so I’m on edge with it..

trying to stay focused and calm lol suppose because I feel poorly with throat an ear last few days I’m kind cranky lol
I will happily update after gp today , just in case anyone is like me and needs reassurance
Thanks
D xx

it's great you are seeing your GP.

I know you are thinking the worst- most of us would- but it could be something not connected to cancer. One thing that comes to mind is coeliac disease (google the UK support site) or something like diverticulitis ( large bowel issues.)

However, you are right in that any change in bowel habits lasting more than a few weeks has to be fast tracked for an investigation. Your GP needs a kick up their arse if they have not followed through.

You need to make it very clear that you need to be seen and urgently.

It could be your referral has got lost in the system, but there is a 2-wee target and it should be met.

The other stuff going on sounds like peri and the throat issue can be stress/ anxiety/ psychosymatic.

It sounds as if you have several different issues going on but the most important is to have your bowel looked at.

Let us know.

Your dr or specialist should also look at Crohns disease.

Jinglinghellsbells
Lol love that name lol 😂
So went to gp, explained she said well secretary should of looked into referral. So she checked it. Said it’s def been triaged other end, so she rang the red flag team while I was sat there, and they told her that the 2 week referral hasn’t been made available as there short staffed and currently on working on referrals made from
The 1st do there actually weeks behind. The gp was disbursed she said . Look your not the only emergency referral made we have other patients need seen urgently, I will have to bring it up ar Tuesdays practise meeting and advise all other gp,s here. She said let’s do more bloods Tuesday am they will be back by Friday and if markers are more raised I’m sending you to a&e.
So I said ok, she looked at my throat I have 2 orange type lumps albeit small on either tonsil
She said my pharynx is white an has red blood spots and glands and lymph nodes on right side
Of my neck are up. She said it’s not
In keeping with strep throat nor is it tonsillitis as there is no inflammation and the area is white as opposed to red , inflamed and puss filled sacs. She put me on some strong antibiotics am said she wants to look at it again on Tuesday to see if it was some weird viral infection. She if it has not sudsided and the nodes are still
Up , along with the bloods I’m giving you a letter an sending you straight to a&e. So we shall see what happens throat is actually driving me nuts right now. I’ve also broken 2 teeth in last 2 days which is even stranger but have dentist Wednesday anyway am they don’t hurt or anything so it’s fine.
But I’ve so much going on she said
She really would prefer I was seen my a specialist, but she said sod
Waiting let’s crack on. Last bloods was not great in that I had low iron , then the positive TF/FOB test. But I’m open minded An do hope it’s a disorder of some kind an. Nothing worse so thanks for that I will get researching those today
Thanks
D xx

Glad your GP is taking things in hand. Fingers crossed blood results are all ok so you don’t end up sent to A& E. Terrible that the 2 week wait has left you worried for 4 weeks already and still no nearer being seen.
Come back and update once you have had BT results - good luck.

Unfortunately the two week wait system is often overloaded due to inadequate NHS funding from years of austerity measures. It used to work well but it’s buckling now. The dept dh works in often cant see their urgent referrals within the two weeks. It’s bloody depressing and unacceptable really. It makes dh very stressed.
But it sounds like your GP is on the case and will hopefully keep fighting for your appointment. I hope they get you sorted soon and remember the chances of anything really nasty at your age are slim. Good luck let us know how it’s going.

Unfortunately severe illnesses are frequently diagnose in A&E for NHS patients. It sounds like your GP is on it and one way or another will make sure you get seen to. Good luck

I would be on the phone every day to the hospital asking when my appointment was going to be.
I find it's sad but necessary to be your own advocate when it comes to the NHS. Never sit back and assume that everything will happen as it's supposed to because it seldom does.