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Downgraded, now I have a long wait

Posted By Haylou610

"Downgraded, now I have a long wait"

About: Singleton Hospital / Clinical Oncology

(as a service user),

I saw my GP about a dimple I'd developed in my left breast(amongst other symptoms, that was the decision to see a doctor). Was referred to Singleton breast clinic as an urgent referral and told I'd be seen within 2 weeks. After 3 weeks I rang the breast clinic. Only to be told I've been downgraded from urgent could be cancer, to urgent and I'm now on a 6 month waiting list. I rung again recently to be told that they've still got people waiting from January 2017 and it's unlikely I'll be seen before January 2018. I want to go private but can't afford to get in debt with it. Absolute shambles.

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Responses

Response from Swansea Bay University Health Board 7 years ago
Swansea Bay University Health Board

Submitted on 07/08/2017 at 08:28
Published on Care Opinion at 11:08

Dear Haylou610,

I am sorry you feel the system is a shambles. If I could explain how the referral works it may help with your query. There is an automated referral system in place and in this instance your GP would have referred you to the Singleton breast service. A breast surgeon reviews all the referrals from the GPs daily and considers whether the referral is a USC (urgent suspected cancer), or not. If the referral is USC, Welsh Government guidelines suggest we must see and treat each diagnosed cancer patient within 62 days.

Without any more information from you it would seem your referral was not seen as USC so would have been placed on the normal breast waiting list. Referral to Treatment Times (RTT) guidelines set out by Welsh Government suggest that each patient must see a clinician within 26 weeks, and get treatment within 36 weeks.

The Breast Unit at Singleton are working to these guidelines, so we would hope that you will be seen within 26 weeks.

If you feel that you would like to be seen sooner, you can go back to the GP and request an expedited referral be sent in, which will be reviewed again by a Breast Surgeon, and if they agree we will make every effort to see you as quickly as possible.

If there is anything you may be unsure of, or if you would like to talk to someone in the Breast unit for advice then please call me on 01656 754 194 and I'd be happy to make the arrangements.

Kindest regards

Jock Andrew

Head of Patient Experience

Princess of Wales Hospital

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