Waiting for biopsy….

Hoping today’s news will help:

biopsy:

NHS England has introduced a new target called the Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS). The target is that you should not wait more than 28 days from referral to finding out whether you have cancer or not. This is to make sure patients don't have to wait too long to find out their diagnosis.

Treatment:

• no more than 2 months (62 days) wait between the date the hospital receives an urgent referral for suspected cancer and the start of treatment
• no more than 31 days wait between the meeting at which you and your doctor agree the treatment plan and the start of treatment

Are you talking about the facilitiesin Leicester? If so, do you have the contact details the prostate cancer specialist nurses? They really helped us! Also, if in o aroundleicester, do look up 'prostaid' - an excellent local charity

Yes, private consultation at Spire Leicester.  Booked via the website.  NHS so far, with NW Anglia trust. Do you have any tel. Nos?

Yes. Can do. Have sent you a friend request as it is perhaps best not to put contact details in public domain withoutpeoples consent

Been watching the excellent videos on Prostaid! We’re closest to the Melton branch.  Thanks for the steer

Where do I find friend request?

I’ve been waiting for a biopsy since June. I’m on a cancer pathway so should have been seen within 2 weeks. I was then referred to a different hospital after the first cancellation, and it’s transpired that referral was incorrectly put through as a routine. 

they gave me an appt for 17th august (today) and drs said they couldn’t speed it up so just wait until then. It’s been cancelled and rebooked for 25th august and again drs said they can’t get anything quicker if they change the referral to urgent as it’s already less than 2 weeks. But that’s since also been cancelled and now they’re saying they can’t get me in until September!

does anyone know my rights here? Nobody is accepting liability for the incorrect referral (both hospitals blaming each other) my consultant has ghosted me and his secretary hasn’t returned any of my calls. I’m beside myself with worry and have a 5 month old baby to looks after

I can’t believe they would tell me I might have cancer and then leave me for months with no treatment. 

Hi and WOW that is disgusting at your treatment regarding this C word , all I can say is you Ned the complaint email to your hospitals and that will get action im told , very worrying time but as the guys and gals on here will get you most answers to this , it’s a journey none of us want , I’m just on HT at mo , so no idea when radiotherapy will be started , take care 

Also re the biopsy, it’s a piece of cake and I was worried before it, then I didn’t feel a thing really , the most embarrassing thing is us guys in a styrup with a young nurse at your bits an pieces , definitely should have been fast tracked a lot faster than you have and sorry it’s taking this long when we are worried 

Hello Sparkle, sadly, I can believe all the delays you have had ! I’m really sorry to hear about your experiences.

you ask about your rights. Well, the Government targets are that anybody with a possible cancer should be seen waiting two weeks of GP referral. The target from referral to being told whether or not you have cancer is 28 days. The target from referral to first treatment is 62 days. As you are probably aware, hospital trusts regularly fail to meet their targets but it is possibly worth while letting the hospital know you are aware of the targets.

Second, you have a right to complain. You can do this through the hospital PAL's - patient advice and liaison service)-  (sometimes called pils) service. it can, though take some time to get a response to a formal complaint. My suggestion would be to contact PALS by phone and tell them what is happening and ask for the urology services managers phone number.

Start keeping a diary of all dates, times and contact details of whoever you speak to and also the content of the conversation. The longer this goes on the more you will need these!

as others have said here and as we discovered, you have be politely assertive and just keep pushing. If your situation permits, tell each person you speak to that you are prepared to take a short notice cancellation appointment and could drop everything to get to the hospital.

also , asking your GP to push your case might also help.

unfortunately, industrial action means that lots of patients are having appointments cancelled. This is a political matter so contacting your GP might be worthwhile too?

each area of the country is an Integrated Care System. Each Integrated Care system has a Board which is responsible and accountable for the provision and supply of our health care. You are entitled to make a formal complaint to your Integrated Care Board .

I hope this helps and that you get a quick resolution. Our PILS department and a wonderful lady in the service managers office were the most helpful for us but the service is only as good as the people working in the various offices!