Curious to know the time frame from GP to being seen by a specialist at breast clinic in Scotland.
I found out today my GP made an urgent referral on 22nd September - Although she didn’t tell me that at the appointment! When i asked her how long I could expect to wait as have a trip planned the second week of October she stated I wouldn’t be seen that quick!
So how long does one wait for an urgent referral in Scotland? I can’t seem to get any answers.
Hi, just had a quick look on here and found this, hope it helps.
National guidelines say how soon someone should be seen after being referred to a breast clinic.
In England: everyone referred to a specialist with breast symptoms should be seen within two weeks of referral by a GP.
In Wales: anyone suspected of having cancer should be seen within 10 working days after referral to a specialist.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland: anyone suspected of having breast cancer should be referred to a specialist breast clinic promptly, ideally within two weeks.
Thanks Diane x
Thanks for the reply Kitt.
It’s been a week since my referral was sent and still no word of an appointment but i’ll try and be patient as doubt i’ll be seen soon even though it’s an urgent referral. Just hoping my referral hasn’t been downgraded at the hospital.
Is it okay to phone hospital up to ask about My referral and waiting times?
Absolutely ! If Appointments can’t help you then if you know the name of the surgeon you’ve been referred to (generally surgeons in charge of breast clinics - it’s not necessarily a bad thing!) then if you ask to get put through to their secretary they might be able to.
In many, but not all, parts of Scotland referrals go electronically to the hospitals which cuts delays and there is a good chance there is already an appointment letter in the post to you.
Hope it all goes well.
Kitt
X
Got my appointment in today and it’s for Monday - relieved it’s in but now so scared about having to be there 3 hours!
That’s good - it’s a really scarey time but you just need to know what you’re dealing with … we’re all tougher than we give ourselves credit for!
Hopefully you might not need to be there that long depending how the first tests go but do go prepared with eats, drinks and reads!!
Let me know how you get on - I’m nearly a year on down the line from where you are now and in some ways it feels like yesterday but in others it feels like a lifetime ago because I’m now in such a good place .
Hugs, Kitt
X
I’ve been thinking of you today - how did your appointment go?
Kitt
x
Clinic appointment went well - no cancer.
I was at a late appointment and didn’t have to wait long for mammogram and ultrasound.
Doctor could feel lump and saw indent but wasn’t concerned but said we’ll wait until you’ve had the mammogram and ultrasound. After having both went back to see doctor who said lump probably necrosis but would see me in 2 months for a follow up. Told me to stop prodding it! Still slightly worried though.
So relieved it was good news and can’t thank everyone enough for the support on here - amazing forum and women!
That’s fantastic news ! Do try to stop prodding - once we’re aware of a lump it becomes so much easier to find each time that we convince ourselves it’s growing whether it is or not ! Easier said than done but try to put this behind you until your follow-up .
I hope you celebrated with a glass of something bubbly tonight !
Hugs, Kitt
X
I am in a similar position but the woman at the clinic said, when I phoned, I would be seen within the 4 week timeframe they work to. I was also referred on 22/9/15 but have had no appointment yet. I thought the standard was two weeks. I am in Greater Glasgow and Clde area. Hope you have had good news by now.
I was seen in 2 weeks because of an urgent referral. I was seen in Lanarkshire and was told not cancer but they will see me in a few months to check on my breast changes.
Sorry to hijack but I’ve just had my appointment through for my ultrasound and it also states it was an urgent referal which my go never mentioned, is this standard? My gp seemed less posative after she’d examined me compared to before and now I’m even more concerned!
Hi Daco,
I’m waiting for an appointment in GG&C too. I’ve been referred to the Royal as that’s closest. My gp said it would probably take 2-3 weeks to get an appointment and that they might send me to a different hospital if it would be quicker.
Okitr - They can’t tell if it’s cancer until they do the tests. Maybe they do send all these referrals as urgent because timescales to get this checked are much shorter than for other types of things. At least if you get seen quickly then you’ll get answers quickly.
I have been a bit emotional since finding my lump. I know it’s probably not cancer. My sister had a benign lump removed last year and I went to some of her appointments with her so I know what to expect. However it doesn’t stop me thinking about the What Ifs.
Hopefully my appointment will come through soon …
Good luck Daco! Hope it goes well today. Please let me know how you get on
Good luck with your apointment x
Hiya, had appointment today consultant said she wanted a mammogram and a biopsy. Got mammogram and then got a call to say my mother was being admitted to hospital and I should come home at once (she only got home from CCU the day before) the doctor was lovely and offerred to do the biopsy straight away. She said ther was definitely something there but it was small. I had the biopsy and she gave me extra Lignocaine and advised me to have a large gin!! My kind of medical advice lol. She told me to tell the clinic I couldn’t wait and to ask how would I get my results?. So I now need to go back next week for the results. Incidentally, my mother was admitted with low blood pressure, probably caused by the new meds she was started on in CCU.
I’ve had better days!.
Thanks for the good wishes!
That sounds like a hard day. Hope you made time for that gin! Best wishes to you and your mum x
I seen my doc three month ago about breast shape change… Nipple discharge… I hadn’t heard a thing in 3 wks so phoned docs only to be told referral hadn’t been sent… They apologised said send it… Waited 4 wks for app to come another 4 wks for app which should have been tomorrow… They phoned me 5:30 tonight to cancel as over booked!! I have to wait another 3 wks for app and if don’t hear anything to phone them… I’m now a bubbling wreck… I have had three months of worry… It’s total shocking treatment…
Phone breast cancer care helpline and get some advice.
I’d personally make a conplaint about GP.