"Breast Lump waiting times"

About: Crosshouse Hospital / General Surgery Crosshouse Hospital General Surgery KA2 0BE

Posted by Jan50 (as a relative), 8 years ago

About 18 mths ago I complained about the time having to wait to get a mammogram - and then to see the consultant then again for scan and biopsy results - far far too long. Well it has still not changed.
My partner found a lump went to the doctor to be told he thought it was scar tissue. Given some cream and told to come back if it was no better in 4 weeks. Well the scar was about 30 yrs old so why would he notice it only now.
Three weeks later he went back to the doctor to be told no it is not scar tissue and we will send an urgent request for you to see a consultant. When I phoned up was told it was a minimum of 6 weeks wait for an urgent appointment and a minimum of 12 for a normal appointment. Well defo not good enough.
With me doing what I had done before keep phoning to try and arrange an earlier appointment we finally got one today. I had to take half a day off work and go with my partner all the way over to Crosshouse - we waited and yes we were seen within 20 mins of our time which was good.
Doctor came in asked my partner a few questions then examined him. Then said don't think it much to worry about but we need to do a mammogram and an ultra scan - but they were fully booked and they would send us a letter in the post in a few weeks for the appointment.
Yes he is male and we know it not that common but it does happen, it could be cancer without the tests we don't know for sure and I defo don't trust the consultant to say dont think it much to worry about. They said the exact same thing to me but mine was cancer and it had spread to my lymph glands so think you can understand why I dont trust that comment.
It is meant to be a one stop clinic so it should be that. Consultants/ Doctors or whoever cannot tell without a picture eg mammogram, scan and or biopsy.
My partner suffers from fibro and cfs and is in constant pain and the stress of this is making things even worse. He also has a lot of pain in his arm and shoulder which yes is prob nothing to do with it but doctors just wont listen atm. I am at stage where I really do not know where to turn to get my partner some help.
I have my own health issues atm and he is also worried about me as I am also going through further tests for myself.
The NHS really need to sort out times - if there is a 6 week delay get it sorted send people to other clinics etc and get times down then keep them down. If it is due to volume does that mean in a few years we will be having to wait a year or two to be seen?

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Responses

Eunice Goodwin

Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,

NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 01/08/2016 at 17:01

Published on Care Opinion on 02/08/2016 at 07:39

Dear Jan50,
I am sorry you are having such a stressful time (both of you) and I am sorry your saga continues, it must be a very upsetting. I will again raise this with the management team for their consideration and update you on PO of any developments.
May I also say how sorry I am that your lump was cancer, I hope your treatment is most successful.
As you rightly point out, very few men get breast cancer but it does happen and you are doing the right thing getting it checked out. As I am sure you know, you can call and ask for a short notice appointment. it is always worth a try.
The very best of wishes
Eunice

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Update posted by Jan50 (a relative) 8 years ago

Since writing this they have phoned us and given my partner a cancellation appointment tomorrow. However that is just for the mammogram. I myself will be at cross house tomorrow morning then have to come home for two to three hours then back for my partners appointment. This we know cant be helped but the fact that he is just getting the mammogram and still has to wait for another appointment for the scan is totally crazy. That will be more time off work which I don't get paid for just cause NHS cant get their act together.
Sorry for moaning but yes they do offer a good service but I feel that waiting around for appointments and results actually does more harm than good. If it is cancer it could spread and the stress that it causes waiting makes things a lot worse.

Eunice Goodwin

Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,

NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 02/08/2016 at 15:04

Published on Care Opinion at 15:51

Dear Jan50,
I am glad he will get the mammogram tomorrow. I am really sorry you are feeling this way and having a tough time but please don't apologise for moaning. It really is a help to us to be aware when things are not the best. I can assure you that the management and the teams will do their best to address the issues you raised. Unfortunately it can take time to address some things.
If you would like to talk to us about your experience and your partners, please call me on 01563 826222 or email me on eunice.goodwin@aapct.scot.nhs.uk.
Good luck tomorrow,
Eunice

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Update posted by Jan50 (a relative) 8 years ago

Sorry Ive taken so long to respond but a lot has been going on which I have talked about under a new story
However wanted to say a big thanks to Eunice Goodwin who I did contact and she tried really hard to get my partner his scan quickly, His mammogram came back that he needed further tests and they were going to send him for a scan but they were telling us this could be 6 weeks, but we didnt have that long as I explained before I had health issues and we needed to know what was happening with him as well so we knew what to plan for,
Anyway we got his scan about 10 days later and he did get the all clear. They think it was possibly one of his medications he was on - this has now been changed and things are starting to settle down.
So once again a big thanks for listening, understanding where I was coming from and trying to resolve the mater.

Eunice Goodwin

Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,

NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 22/09/2016 at 17:09

Published on Care Opinion on 23/09/2016 at 14:47

(Sorry, I responded to your posts back to front, some may say that is typical of me!)
Dear Jan50,
You are absolutely, most welcome. I am sincerely pleased that things worked out all round and thank you so much for your post. I often say how much the staff appreciate when they receive good feedback, today I can say how lovely it is from first hand experience.
Thank you again for your feedback on all counts, the positive and the not-so-positive, it really helps us to improve what we need and appreciate what we don't.
take care,
Eunice

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