Sharing the learning from personal experience. Following a mastectomy in March I saw oncologist April who was referring me for radiotherapy (told to expect a 16wk max wait). Mid August I saw a second oncologist who asked if I’d heard from radiotherapy yet - ‘No’ - he shrugged and said it probably wouldn’t be long (he didn’t check status of referral). September I saw another- different - oncologist. He said he would expedite radiotherapy referral. He rang me a wk later, had I heard from team? (No) he said he would email them. 2 wks later I was sent appt with a different (again) oncologist. However I was met by the head radiotherapist who apologised and told me the referral had not been done in April and that my case had highlighted a loophole in they system and that was that they relied on patients chasing appts / complaining to identify missed actions. I had stupidly trusted the doctor and the system. I wish I had picked up the phone and simply checked that my referral had been received. I was pushed to top of list and finally had my radiotherapy 30 wks after surgery! To anyone thinking they’re in the system and simply waiting to reach the top of the waiting list, please make a quick call to check, don’t sit back and trust the NHS efficiency and best of luck to everyone
