Hi, I think I just need to vent.
my dad had a diagnosis of Bowens disease, he has had many surgeries and is on efudex (chemo cream). 6 weeks ago he found what he then thought was a hernia in his groin. Went to the GP and was sent for an ultrasound. They referred him back to the GP and said it was a lymph node, he was then referred for an urgent CT, the GP called 2 days after the CT and said he was referring him to a specialist on a 2 WW. My dad didn’t ask any questions at this point so we didn’t know where the referral was for.
His call was meant to be by the 30th March, but still nothing. I called Monday and they said it would definitely be by the 11th april, but we could call back before to see if they had any cancellations. My mum called me this morning in a terrible state, she is so worried, she asked me to call and see if I could get a sooner appointment. I called and they said an appointment had been made for the 12th April, that’s well ober the 2WW. I’m trying to be positive and think if it was anything too bad they wouldn’t make him wait over the 2 weeks. Are they allowed to go over the 2 weeks?
But then the devil on my should rears it’s ugly Hess and I’m thinking what if this isn’t good news what if it’s something bad?? I lost my nephew 4 years ago in June so I know how important a quick diagnosis is and how important it is to start treatment as soon as possible.
are they allowed to go over the 2WW?
Hi again NLH84 the simple answer to your question is Yes. they are allowed to go over the 2WW........ all these timings are 'targets' and as we know targets can be missed and this will depend on where your dad stays, his health board and even the part of the UK.
In Scotland where I stay in 2022 almost 3 in 10 patients being referred with urgent suspicion of cancer are waiting longer than the 62-day target for their first treatment. This rate was the lowest since records began a decade ago.
The 62-day standard is based on the time from urgent suspicion of cancer referral from a GP to first cancer treatment.
