Supertramp Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I've been in to see my GP several times with the same problem and am really worried. However she says she has referred me to a specialist (about 2 weeks ago) I've still not received anything from the hospital about an appointment. Now my Dr surgery is very hard to get an appointment or even to speak to a doctor. I want to see a specialist straight away as according to the symptoms it could be cancer - this has never been mentioned to me. I rang again today and was told I can't see or speak to the Doctor today as they are now full so I need to try again tomorrow. What do I do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukurban Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I've been in to see my GP several times with the same problem and am really worried. However she says she has referred me to a specialist (about 2 weeks ago) I've still not received anything from the hospital about an appointment. Now my Dr surgery is very hard to get an appointment or even to speak to a doctor. I want to see a specialist straight away as according to the symptoms it could be cancer - this has never been mentioned to me. I rang again today and was told I can't see or speak to the Doctor today as they are now full so I need to try again tomorrow. What do I do? You can ask the secretarial staff at your GP surgery to have your GP contact the Hospital again and push for the appointment to be brought sooner. You would most likely need to return to your GP and explain that your symptoms have got worse if that is the case. However, as it's only been 2 weeks, it's most likely that you will be expected to wait for a longer period of time for a referral to be sent. The other alternative would be to pay privately (if you are in a financial position to do so). Both the BMI Thornbury and Claremont Hospitals in Sheffield have Gastroenterologist consultants who you could set an appointment with foor a private consultation. Private consultations (and ongoing treatment if necessary) can be expensive if you are self-paying and don't have private medical insurance, but is a valid alternative if you are unprepared to wait via the NHS route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supertramp Posted April 24, 2012 Author Share Posted April 24, 2012 You can ask the secretarial staff at your GP surgery to have your GP contact the Hospital again and push for the appointment to be brought sooner. You would most likely need to return to your GP and explain that your symptoms have got worse if that is the case. However, as it's only been 2 weeks, it's most likely that you will be expected to wait for a longer period of time for a referral to be sent. The other alternative would be to pay privately (if you are in a financial position to do so). Both the BMI Thornbury and Claremont Hospitals in Sheffield have Gastroenterologist consultants who you could set an appointment with foor a private consultation. Private consultations (and ongoing treatment if necessary) can be expensive if you are self-paying and don't have private medical insurance, but is a valid alternative if you are unprepared to wait via the NHS route. I can't afford that, I did ring them and it's over a grand for the test I need.. Thanks though, it's only the internet that has told me they symptoms may indicate cancer. I've seen the GP twice and a different GP too who have never mentioned it and didn't seem unduly concerned. I'll speak to the GP Secretary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripitaka Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I suspect that if your GP thought it was cancer or even a chance of cancer they would have sent you straight to the hospital as an emergency referral. How did you 'find out' that it could be cancer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supertramp Posted April 24, 2012 Author Share Posted April 24, 2012 I suspect that if your GP thought it was cancer or even a chance of cancer they would have sent you straight to the hospital as an emergency referral. How did you 'find out' that it could be cancer? Put my symptoms into Netdoctor! So has anyone been referred normally? How long does it take? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janie48 Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Put my symptoms into Netdoctor! So has anyone been referred normally? How long does it take? Ignore Netdoctor and other sites like that. Less serious gastric symptoms can imitate cancer symptoms. Nothing can be diagnosed accurately till you have tests.The waiting time will depend on the urgency,but phone the GP surgery again if you are worried,doesn't matter if you pester them,you have a right to know about the approx waiting time. Its worth bearing in mind as well that in a very small number of cases postal communications and processing of information can go astray. Hope everything turns out okay for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tj68 Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Always use a reputable site like the nhs website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In Uppers Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Hi Supertramp, What did the doctor think it may be? & what tests have they referred you for? The reason I ask is that I went to my doctors 7 times before I told them I thought I had gallstones - they then decided to refer me and hey presto - It was gallstones. If they've not even mentioned cancer from your symptom I don't think you should be worrying too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supertramp Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 Hi, without going into my symptoms - can someone tell me what the referral process is? I was referred 3 weeks ago (referral only went through on 27th of April, even though I have been having the symptomsnsince February) on the NHS website it says the average waiting time at Sheffield Teaching hospitals is 4 weeks for gastroenterology. How long before the appointment do I get contacted to let me know when it is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teddybare Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Hi, without going into my symptoms - can someone tell me what the referral process is? I was referred 3 weeks ago (referral only went through on 27th of April, even though I have been having the symptomsnsince February) on the NHS website it says the average waiting time at Sheffield Teaching hospitals is 4 weeks for gastroenterology. How long before the appointment do I get contacted to let me know when it is? Hassle them. Hassle the GPs receptionist and hassle the hospital department too. The waiting times they post are BS. I had a neurosurgery appt which was cancelled due to the snow the other year. Waited for my letter to come and the total waiting time ended up being 8months apparently there was a backlog . And that was for a spinal cord injury relapse. If the appointment letter hasn't been sent in 3weeks to a month hassle them. There's one day a week you can phone up for cancellations so maybe get in sooner. The hospital will be able to tell you which day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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