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Still have not been seen for urgent breast referral

Posted By Poppy123456

"Still have not been seen for urgent breast referral"

About: NHS Ayrshire & Arran / South West Scotland Breast Screening Centre

(as a service user),

My GP referred me in June for an urgent breast referral due to a lump in my axilla. I was told I would be seen within 2 weeks but after 2 weeks still had not heard anything so called appointments and they told me I should hear the following week. I still hadn't heard anything so called them back the following week and was told the same thing. After another week I called back and they said the clinics had been reduced but there should be more clinics soon and I should hear this week.

After still hearing nothing I called appointments today and have been told there are no clinics available this month but more clinics will be running at beginning of August. I was told I should hear at the end of the month or beginning of August about when my appointment will be. I keep getting different stories and the uncertainty about when I will be seen is awful.

I am pregnant and the anxiety of this is just horrendous. When you are supposed to be seen within 2 weeks and then told it will be potentially more than 2 months it is almost unbearable to have this worry, and I feel it is even worse because I am pregnant and I worry about the impact it could have on my pregnancy.  

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Responses

Response from Tracy Baillie, Assistant General Manager - Cancer and Diagnostics, Diagnostics, NHS Ayrshire 3 years ago
Tracy Baillie
Assistant General Manager - Cancer and Diagnostics, Diagnostics,
NHS Ayrshire

Submitted on 24/07/2020 at 15:23
Published on Care Opinion at 16:16

picture of Tracy Baillie

Dear Poppy123456,

I am sorry to hear of your current situation. I totally understand how worrying any waiting time must be in these circumstances.

As you'll know, outpatient appointments across all NHS boards have been seriously impacted by the pandemic, and as our services start to see a slow, safe, phased return to normal we undoubtedly are challenged in terms of clinic capacity.

Please be assured that all our teams are working to find solutions to ensure patients are waiting the minimal amount of time possible, while working within the constraints we now have with social distancing.

In order for me to look into your own individual case, can I ask you get in touch with me to provide me with some further information that will allow me to progress this?

Best Wishes

Tracy Dalrymple

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Update posted by Poppy123456 (a service user)

Hi,

Thanks for replying. I totally understand the situation with the pandemic and that there may be longer waiting times because of this. If someone could have just provided clarity around the likely wait time, albeit longer than normal, this would have been helpful. The anxiety I was feeling was mainly related to the uncertainty around the timescale to wait, I.e., on three separate phone calls over three seperste weeks I was each time given assurances that I should have an appointment by the following week which didn't happen and I was then told unlikely to be until end July or beginning of August. I think if I had been told this at the outset it would have given me more certainty and reduced my anxiety.

I have since received an appointment and am therefore feeling much better about the situation.

Response from Tracy Baillie, Assistant General Manager - Cancer and Diagnostics, Diagnostics, NHS Ayrshire 3 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Tracy Baillie
Assistant General Manager - Cancer and Diagnostics, Diagnostics,
NHS Ayrshire

Submitted on 27/07/2020 at 10:11
Published on Care Opinion at 16:27

picture of Tracy Baillie

Dear Poppy123456

I'm really glad that you have an appointment date now, and I'm sorry that communication and clarity should have been better. I've passed on your concerns to our Lead Clinician for Cancer who can liaise with the GP lead, as it's important that GPs are aware of the situation too and know realistic current waiting times so that they can reassure patients and hopefully allay some of the anxiety.

I hope everything goes well for you at your appointment, and wishing you all the best with your new baby when he or she arrives. Take care.

Tracy

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