"One Stop Breast Clinic"

Having been referred from my GP on the 2-week wait pathway, I was very impressed and thrilled at receiving my Breast Clinic appointment just 6 days after my GP referral. I received a letter through the post with a leaflet explaining that the One Stop Breast Clinic would include a breast examination and then possibly an ultrasound, mammogram and biopsy to aid diagnosis

Upon arrival, the clinic was running 30 minutes behind. Giving the pressures on the NHS this is understandable. After being there for 30 minutes a nurse came out and announced the clinic was now running behind my 1 hour. As you can imagine, the nerves involved with waiting for an appointment that you do not wish to need is very intense, but I still felt this was understandable.

However, following my breast examination, I was told I would receive a scan appointment in the post as there was no radiology cover on this day at the One Stop Clinic. To leave that appointment, having been told I would be able to have all investigations done and then to have had none was heartbreaking.

I appreciate that staffing levels are low but this should have been told to me upon arrival, or even before to manage my expectations. I am now back to the waiting game.