Hello,
My dentist submitted an urgent referral to maxillofacial surgery on 3 February and I have heard nothing since. I understand that the new timeframes are that I have a 70% chance of having a diagnosis by 28 days, but is there any way of knowing whether the referral has been received and is being actioned?
Various NHS websites say that 'you will receive a letter to confirm that we have received your referral within a few days'. I haven't, and there is nothing in my NHS account. My dentist (private) says that there's nothing that she can do to track the referral to see if it has been received. I would be really grateful if someone could tell me what to expect - is there any communication after referral?
I'm panicking a bit because this leision started 5 + years ago and has been steadily getting worse. I had thought it was benign because my dentist kept telling me that it was geographic tongue. It was only at my last appointment that she seemed puzzled when I told her that it doesn't change position (I didn't know it was supposed to if it was GT) and then she suddenly started jumping around, taking photographs and talking about cancer.
Many thanks.
Hello Harri ,
An urgent referral means you should be seen within 2 weeks from the dept.receiving it . It’s often towards the end of the 2nd week....but you may need to ring the max fax dept .to chase this up. Have your nhs number handy . If no help , try the central booking phone number . Be insistent . If no-one has received the referral , ask your dentist to repeat it.
The NHS is wonderful but overworked....be pushy , be polite , be seen and heard . It's worked for me 
Hi Harri123
I'll echo what Zillah has advised. Chase the appointment up. Find out from your dentist which consultant you have been referred to and phone their secretary. My appointment got downgraded to routine by some meddling clerk. maybe my GP's request was equivocal, I guess I'll never know but I kicked up such a stink I was seen the following week.
Meanwhile pop over to see us friendly folk in the Head and Neck Cancer Group and don't mess around with Google
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Many thanks for your kind response, Zillah.
I came across this on an NHS page and was wondering if this meant that I would receive no contact for 28-days, instead of 14?
"
https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/changes-to-cancer-waiting-times-standards-from-1-october-2023/
But, then there's this:
"You’ll get a letter from the hospital within a few days of being referred to confirm they’ve received the referral. You should have an appointment with a specialist or to have tests soon afterwards (often within 2 weeks). "
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/guide-to-nhs-waiting-times-in-england/
It has been nearly 2-weeks and I have received no confirmation that anyone has received my referral.
It's scary not knowing whether my referral is being processed or downgraded, or if it has got lost in the system.
I will have a go at contacting the maxillofacial dept next week, as you advised. I've got an incredibly expensive private consultation booked for next Friday in case I can't get any information out of the NHS. I don't think I can just wait without hearing anything.
Many thanks for your support. I'm getting rediculously panicky here.
All the best,
Harri
