"Superfluous appointments should be avoided"

My wife visited our local GP surgery at Jenner House Old Harlow for a consultation regarding a distal lesion on her cheek. Having examined it,the doctor was very concerned and sought a “Fast Track” referral at the Dermatology Department at the PAH.

12 days later

An appointment was made for St. Margaret’s Epping.

There, it was confirmed there was a suspicion of possible SCC and they therefore advised a Biopsy. My wife agreed and a follow up was arranged with the oral maxillofacial surgery team as CWT.

30 days later

An appointment was made for the Oral Surgery Unit Bevan Outpatients. We checked in on time and were seen 1 hour and 15 minutes later.

There, a doctor checked the lesion and asked my wife if she agreed to a Biopsy. We pointed out that it was on record that she had already agreed and she was here to have the Biopsy.

They explained that another appointment would be made when she would be seen by a Nurse and then taken to another room to have the biopsy by another Doctor who would carry out the surgery.

We were shocked by this as we expected it to be carried out immediately and could see no reason why it could not. The doctor apologised and said they were advocating a one-stop clinic but so far to no avail.

We pointed out this appointment was a complete waste of not only our time but more importantly their valuable time. Two doctors had already diagnosed a possible SCC and a third was unnecessary. We are concerned that the next “ fast Track” appointment may even result in the same outcome! There could be no end!

We have outlined these events to indicate what seems to be a dreadful waste of NHS resources. While we sympathise with the mammoth task of trying to supply quality efficient healthcare in such difficult circumstances, we are making the suggestion that superfluous appointments should be avoided.