"Inaccurate communication about potential waits"

In July 2023 I was diagnosed with 3 lesions needing removal, at the time the NHS website said normal wait at Heavitree would be 20 weeks ( not great but I accept there are a lot of pressures). 2 of the lesions grew considerably so I called after 20 weeks to be advised that the normal wait was in fact 12 to 18 months and always had been. I really would have been helpful to have either been told this to start with of for the NHS site to have better information.

I was not prepared to see my lesions on my face continue to grow at an alarming rate so paid to have them removed privately where I found the the procedure was more serious as it had been left so long. If I had known the wait was over a year I would have had the private treatment earlier.

Recently I have had the third lesion that had been very stable removed at Heavitree by Claire and the whole experience was excellent. I am a very nervous patient with a serious fear of needles and scalpels so it was never going to be easy but the treatment I received was very supportive and really could not have been better.

It is a shame that the excellent people working in the NHS are let down by the system that allows such long waiting lists and the poor and inaccurate communication to patients about potential waits.