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"Red flag referral but still waiting"

About: The Ulster Hospital / Breast and Endocrine Outpatient Clinic

(as a relative),

A red flag referral was made for my mum to the breast specialist centre in Belfast in December by her GP after she discovered a lump on her breast. We were advised mum would be seen in 2 weeks as a red flag referral is deemed urgent, unfortunately we are still waiting.

My grandmother died from breast cancer when my mum was only 3 years old which is obviously adding to mum's worry. When we contacted the unit we were advised they had received the referral but it would probably take 10-12 weeks at present.

A further call advised that referrals made around that time & with bank holidays it would take 11 weeks for a red flag referral (3 days holiday equate to 10 week delay!).This is absolutely unacceptable and the stress thus causing is making mum very ill, unable to sleep or eat.

We are being let down so badly here in Northern Ireland.

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Responses

Response from Conor Campbell, Senior Manager, Assurance and Improvement, South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust 15 months ago
Conor Campbell
Senior Manager, Assurance and Improvement,
South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust

Assurance and improvement

Submitted on 09/02/2024 at 15:27
Published on Care Opinion at 15:27


picture of Conor Campbell

Dear 12weekwait,

My name is Conor Campbell. My position is Senior Manager, Assurance and Improvement with a leading role in improving the service user experience - which includes responding to any person who tells their story through Care Opinion in order to help the organisation learn and improve.

Thank you for sharing the story of your mum's experience of waiting for breast clinic appointment with a red flag referral.

I sincerely apologise to you and your mum for the extensive wait and the worry endured throughout.

The Trust's Cancer Services leadership are aware of the current situation and are working to improve it.

As all patients who are currently waiting are likely anxious, it is difficult to take people out of turn for this reason alone.

At present, it is expected that you would be issued with an appointment approximately two weeks before the appointment is due to take place.

Should you wish to do so, please email me at conor.campbell@setrust.hscni.,net to provide your mum's name / date of birth / address / Health and Care Number (if handy) and your name / contact information in order that your mum's care may be reviewed by service leadership at a personal level to determine if there is reason that would qualify your mum to be brought forward.

I apologise again for the wait and worry.

Best wishes

Conor

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