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"Still waiting for biopsy results"

About: Colchester General Hospital

In February 2023 my doctor asked about a lesion on my face while I was there for a routine appointment. She referred me to the dermatologist at Colchester and said I would hear soon. In April I still had not heard anything and my doctor sent another letter asking for my appointment to be expedited (I have all copies of letters on my NHS app). I called the dermatology departing in August as I still had not heard anything and the receptionist told me there was an 18 month wait. When I said my Dr sent two letters she became flustered and said her department could not help. I then received a phone call the next day with an appointment. I went to the appointment and the nurse said she was not worried about lesion. She took photos on an iPad and said i would only here if further investigation was needed. Around 4 weeks later I get a letter asking me to go back. So I went back in and the consultant I saw said she was completely unaware I had already been seen by someone. I explained to her how unsettled I felt, being told to come in after being informed that would only happen if further investigation was needed. The consultant arranged for a biopsy which I had in December 2023. It is now January 10th and I still have not had any results. It was the 6th February 2023 when my dr wrote to the dermatologist department. It say I am extremely disappointed is an understatement. Having lost both parents in their 50s to cancer and already having preventative surgery due to my own risk of cancer I am, like I said, very disappointed in this whole saga. 11 months to be wondering ! Not good at all. I assume because I have not heard anything that there is nothing to worry about but I feel having to self diagnose should not really be happening. Feel free to ask me to call you.

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Responses

Response from Patient Experience Lead, East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust 15 months ago
East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust
Submitted on 15/01/2024 at 16:07
Published on Care Opinion at 16:07


Thank you for taking the time to leave your comments, and I am sorry that the communication has not been as expected and for any unnecessary stress that this has caused. I have passed you comments on the Matron for dermatology and our PALS team. If you still have not heard anything regarding your results please give our PALS team a call on 01206 742683, or call myself on 01473 702101. Many thanks Steve - Bruce Patient Experience Team

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