NHS two week rule

[velvetn0mates]

Hi all,

Someone very close to me visited a GP and the GP has suspected their cancer has returned so said further investigation would be needed within two weeks. They had an appointment booked for today but they have just been rang (two hours before) to say the appointment is cancelled because the surgeon has called in sick. The next appointment they could give them is in DECEMBER.

Does anyone know what I can do to help? This is ridiculous and they’re breaking their own 2 week urgent referral policy.

 

[Clickbait]

Hi all,

Someone very close to me visited a GP and the GP has suspected their cancer has returned so said further investigation would be needed within two weeks. They had an appointment booked for today but they have just been rang (two hours before) to say the appointment is cancelled because the surgeon has called in sick. The next appointment they could give them is in DECEMBER.

Does anyone know what I can do to help? This is ridiculous and they’re breaking their own 2 week urgent referral policy.

Unsure if the person close to you needs to see a specialist and that is why there is a delay? I’d suggest the following:
• Contact the hospital and make clear waiting until December is not acceptable and you need to understand why there is a delay and if you can be fast tracked to a different Trust if needs be;
• Contact PALS - they can help investigate and support you;
• Contact the referring GP to see if they can help get something earlier;
• You can raise a complaint via your local Integrated Care System but not sure how quickly this will be dealt with.
Good luck, hope they can be seen earlier.

 

[TooFarScone]

If it were me I'd be contacting my old CNS and seeing if she/he can pull some strings and get me back in.

 

[wideopenspace]

Unfortunately the 2 week rule is often missed. I know back in 2021 the 2 week rule was at least 4 weeks regards breast cancer referrals locally. There was very little the GP could do. One option is going private but I appreciate not everyone has cover in place or could afford it.

 

[anotheronebitesthedust.1]

I work in departments with the two week rule and unfortunately due to backlogs from covid a lot of gps and consultants are referring everyone through on the 2ww pathway so even now that’s just causing a backlog and people are breaching their targets

 

[Snowjoke]

Hi all,

Someone very close to me visited a GP and the GP has suspected their cancer has returned so said further investigation would be needed within two weeks. They had an appointment booked for today but they have just been rang (two hours before) to say the appointment is cancelled because the surgeon has called in sick. The next appointment they could give them is in DECEMBER.

Does anyone know what I can do to help? This is ridiculous and they’re breaking their own 2 week urgent referral policy.

As it’s suspected reoccurance, could they reach out to their consultant oncologist team directly? Unsure where you are based. If I was them I would definitely ring the consultant oncologists secretary and express concern about the delay.

 

[Blairr]

I work in departments with the two week rule and unfortunately due to backlogs from covid a lot of gps and consultants are referring everyone through on the 2ww pathway so even now that’s just causing a backlog and people are breaching their targets

That’s shocking. I’m assuming these referrals are triaged to filter them out though?

 

[candyland_]

I had to wait four to five weeks for my two week appointment. It’s all they had.

Contact the appointment line there should be info on the letter. Often they try to offer an alternative hospital.

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

We will see this happening for the next few years as the NHS are trying to play catch-up because of covid.

I would suggest phoning up every day to see if somebody cancelled their appointment and try and snag it

 

[cryptix]

Or try the NHS.uk/referrals someone I spoke to on the phone said I can check thst multiple times a day granted mines routine but might help.

 

[velvetn0mates]

Thank you for your help I have sent this over xx

 

[anotheronebitesthedust.1]

I’ve just had a procedure done on the back of the 2 week pathway. Doctor referred me under the 2 week pathways end of august. I had my “urgent” PHONE appointment with consultant 5 weeks after that. And only last Friday did I get to actually meet someone face to face on the day of my biopsy. 3 months almost.

Unfortunately a lot of places are breaching targets due to catch up from covid

 

[swimming]

I’ve just had a procedure done on the back of the 2 week pathway. Doctor referred me under the 2 week pathways end of august. I had my “urgent” PHONE appointment with consultant 5 weeks after that. And only last Friday did I get to actually meet someone face to face on the day of my biopsy. 3 months almost.