My dad had been trying to make a GP appointment since before Christmas for a very large, painful lump that appeared suddenly on his neck. He had called at 08.30 every morning for around 6 weeks and still had not been able to make an appointment, despite telling the receptionist about the lump, who told him to keep an eye on it.
He was given 2 telephone consultations where he described his symptoms, a hard, painful lump with obvious borders. He was given antibiotics over the phone without being seen or examined by a Dr and also had bloods taken. The lump continued to get bigger and he now had difficulty swallowing and the feeling of something stuck in his throat.
Eventually in February he was given a face to face appointment after my mum becoming very upset over the phone. Within a week of seeing a Dr, my dad had an urgent ENT review, seen by a consultant, had 2 biopsies and had received a diagnosis of tonsil cancer. He’s now going through radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
The care my dad has been given after the diagnosis by the Beatson has been great and our full family has been supported. However, I feel that almost 3 months of describing a painful lump and difficulty swallowing in an otherwise healthy adult before being examined by a Dr is disgusting. It’s drilled into you to have any lump looked at straight away and that early detection saves lives. I can’t understand what the criteria needs to be to physically see a Dr. I feel this is concerning. Extremely let down by the medical practice.
"Missed Cancer Diagnosis"
About: General practices in Lanarkshire General practices in Lanarkshire The Lanarkshire Beatson The Lanarkshire Beatson Airdrie ML6 0JS http://www.beatson.scot.nhs.uk/content/default.asp?page=s22_1_11
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