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Lack of information

Posted By travellertj94

"Lack of information"

About: General practices in Fife Queen Margaret Hospital / Breast care service

(as a service user),

I saw my GP a few weeks ago, due to an irregular feeling in my breast. The GP examined me and asked if it was a little lump in an area but proceeded to say he was not worried, but would refer me to the breast clinic, he said he would note on the referral 12kg or so unintentional weight loss I had. 

I phoned the appointments office to find out the waiting time, I was told around 15 weeks but asked if I could accept a short notice appointment in forth valley. 

I have no idea if theirs different urgencies of referrals for the breast but the potential to wait 15 weeks seems a little long.

A suggestion that perhaps it could be explained to patients if there is different levels of referrals to put minds at ease. 

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Responses

Response from Michelle Blacklock, Lead Nurse, Patient Experience Team, NHS Fife last week
Michelle Blacklock
Lead Nurse, Patient Experience Team,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 08/08/2025 at 13:40
Published on Care Opinion at 15:00

picture of Michelle Blacklock

Dear travellertj94,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and concerns regarding your recent referral to the breast clinic.

We understand how worrying it can be to wait for an appointment,

To help us look into your referral and provide more clarity, we’d be grateful if you could get in touch directly. Please contact our head of Patient Experience Siobhan Mcilroy on: fife.patientexperience@nhs.scot, and we’ll do our best to support you.

Thank you again for your feedback, it’s valuable in helping us improve patient experience.

Kind Regards

Michelle Blacklock

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Catherine Easton, Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist, Breast Service, NHS Fife last week
Catherine Easton
Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist, Breast Service,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 08/08/2025 at 16:00
Published on Care Opinion at 16:03

picture of Catherine Easton

Good Afternoon travellertj94,

Thankyou for your feedback, we appreciate this can be a worrying and anxious time awaiting an appointment following referral from your GP.

If you would like to contact our service on 01383 627091 we can look into this for you further.

Warmest Regards

Catherine

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
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