What's the wait time for red flag appointments in your area?

[suki1964]

Ive just been red flagged to the breast unit and I said to the GP Im on holiday next week, will I need to cancel, and got told Id not be seen that quick but "should be " under 6 weeks !!!

I thought red flags were to be seen within 2 weeks ?

For my area a breast clinic possible cancer referral is two weeks, but I've been referred three times and seen the next day, at eight days, and at 12 days.
If you need an urgent endoscopy though you really have to push - that's a 12 month wait.

I was referred on 26 Aug & my GP asked if I had any holidays booked in the following 2 weeks, I said no but did have one booked for 11th-18th Sep and she said the apt should be before then.
The apt came through 2 days after the referral, for 18th Sep - as we'd be away I clicked the online link and was able to change it immediately to a choice of times on the 19th.

So 3 & half weeks.

My friend, same area, has had a couple over the last few years and hers have both been within 2 weeks.

Good luck.

I get really a lumpy breast fairly often (every couple of years), the last two have actually been surprisingly incredibly fast. One was two days and the last one was 5 days. And our hospital is utter shite, 2 years for an urgent neuro appt and 3 months wait for an urgent mri.

2 weeks last time I went they actually got mad at me as I said id wait for an appointment at my local hospital and it took it to just slightly over by 2 days and said they where writing it down as patient refused appointment so I assume they get in trouble if it goes over. Another time I got an appointment the next day I think there must of been a cancellation but its usually around 10 - 14 days

This sounds like my hospital

My last breast referral under the ‘two week’ pathway took 8 weeks and six months later neither I or my GP have received a letter confirming their findings or the results of the biopsy.

Was referred to Cardiology on an urgent ‘two week’ pathway 3 months ago and received a letter last week telling me it would be 52 weeks.

Really worried, but not surprised, as my large teaching hospital is ranked 118 in the country with a score of 2.84.

Thankyou all for your experiences

What's scaring me was the last time there was a concern - early 2000's I saw my GP one day and was in clinic 48 hours later - and left with results

And that was a run of the mill - lets get it checked - referral

Im right now in two minds, we go on holiday for five nights on Thursday , do I go private and get seen on Wednesday and get all the tests and diagnoses, and then go on holiday free as a bird, or with the weight of what's to come - and the effect on DH , or hold off, go private when I come back, or just wait it all out?

Im not scared of the diagnosies being positive, that I can handle, What Im struggling with is this wait. It feels so cruel . I even said to the GP, come on, smile at least , but she couldn't. I cant fault the GP, I got through on the phone at 3:50, was phoned at 5pm and in and being seen @5;30 which I thought was great service seeing as here in NI the NHS has totally collapsed

Right now, the last few days, my mind is racing. soon as Im not busy, in creep the thoughts and worries

As you have the flexibility to go private I'd just do that and go away either in the clear or with a plan of how to tackle it when you get back.

I was seen by my GP on the day I contacted them regarding lumps, I was seen by a consultant a week later and then had a mammogram and ultrasound a week after that. So everything was within the two weeks

Last year I had a mammogram on a Thu and they phoned me on the Monday to book a follow up on the Wed.

This week I had a GP appointment on Mon. Referred for blood test and endoscopy. Had the blood test Thu (could have had it Wed but was busy, you self book on the app), pre op by phone Monday followed up Tue, offered hospital Thu but couldn't get anyone to take me so had it today. So GP Monday, pre op, bloods and test by the end of the same week.

Thank you

This is seriously what is scaring me, the not having a diagnoses within the week

Only suspected cancer is red flagged , the Im not sure is urgent , so I have the cancer scare there

And because Im AUADHD you can imagine the rabbit holes my brain is travelling

I want DIAGNOSIS whatever it is I can work with

Im going to see what happens if I choose to go private on Monday , I should have had a text by now telling me Im in the system. that's not happened so maybe I shouldn't be waiting and giving faith to the NHS right now

Sorry but I am actually scared