"Appalling lack of communication and zero after..."

In May this year my GP referred me to the 2 week wait skin cancer clinic for a lesion on my upper arm.

I saw the skin cancer specialist nurse within the recommended time and it was mutually agreed that a biopsy would be in order. The biopsy took place as scheduled and I was informed by both the doctor and nurse present that I would have the results sent to both me and my GP within 3 weeks.

After this time had lapsed I had not heard anything and neither had my GP practice.

I was advised to contact Dermatology direct, which I did, only to be advised by one of the secretaries that it was highly unlikely I would hear anything for a few more weeks.

After 9 weeks I contacted my GP practice again and I was advised that still no communication had been received from the hospital.

I then contacted one of the Dermatology secretaries, who happened to catch the skin cancer specialist nurse as she was passing through the office.

She informed me that my lesion was not cancerous but "inflammatory" but that the term "spongiotic" had been written on the document she was reading from.

She told me she was not quite sure what this meant but that she would speak to the doctor concerned to establish if any further treatment was recommended (I have numerous similar lesions on both my arms and legs) or whether a follow up appointment would be necessary, and that she would call me back the following week.

No such call back materialised, so after about a week I called the department again only to be informed in a rather brusque manner (this was one of the secretaries speaking on behalf of the skin cancer specialist nurse who was in the vicinity) that the lesion was non cancerous and I had been discharged. I informed the secretary that the nurse had said she would call me back after querying a couple of issues with the doctor, but was speedily dismissed since my enquiry was clearly irritating him.

If he could have got away with quoting the notorious Anne Robinson phrase, "You are the weakest link - goodbye!", I am sure he would have - such was the tone of his voice.

Goodness only knows what this "inflammatory" skin condition I have is or what indeed I should do about it.

Maybe Dr Google or my local vet might be able to offer some insight because Dermatology clearly has no inclination to provide any. More than 3 months lave lapsed since I had my biopsy and I have STILL not had any written communication from the hospital regarding the result or confirming my discharge.

On the subject of communication, in 2018 I attended a consultation in the same department only to read in the clinic letter about a lesion on my jaw, which came as a complete surprise to me as I have never had a lesion on my jaw.

Hardly confidence inspiring!