They knew I had BCC, but were not going to tell me for 11 weeks.

Polly84 18 days ago

2 replies
41 subscribers
217 views

Hello.

I was referred by my GP in April this year for a scab on my back. I had all the photos/examination and biopsy done by a PLC not the NHS.

The NHS trust has referred all such issues to a private limited company to undertake, so that they don't have to do them.

The results came back to the PLC on 1.7.25

I rang up to see if my results were back after 2+ weeks and was told they were back but there was no appointment available for a telephone consultation until the end of September 2025 as it had to be with the Dr who inspected me.

I managed to persuade them to give me my results via another Dr. I was told I have BCC.

They were going to wait for 11 weeks to tell me that.

Can they withhold a cancer diagnosis for that length of time ?

The private limited company say the 18 week pathway doesn't apply to BCC or to their organisation. It doesn't say anywhere that these are correct and they do not inform patients that that is the case.

Has anyone else experienced this ? Or know whether this is correct information please ?

Dearheart 18 days ago

Hi Polly84

I'm sorry to hear what you've been through. I've not had a direct experience of this as all my diagnosis, surgery etc was all done through the NHS. I feel that bccs are not considered in the same way as other cancers or even other skin cancers which might explain why the organisation that saw you didn't feel the need to follow the 18 week pathway. Not helpful when you are worried waiting for your results!

If you are concerned about the time frame is there a complaints procedure for the PLC that you can escalate this to? It obviously won't change what has happened but they will have to provide you with a response to your complaint and provide an explanation as to what has happened in your case.

Hopefully if someone else has had experience of a PLC they might be able to share their experiences with you to see if that information is correct.

Wishing you all the best with your treatment

Best wishes

Dearheart

Polly84 18 days ago in reply to Dearheart

Hello Dearheart.

Thank you for your reply, it's very kind of you, and I'm sorry for all you have gone through too.

I have made complaints about it as I have gone through this but to no avail. Yesterday I had a meeting and addressed my concerns, including whether they can be reported to the Ombudsman about their practices as they are not NHS. I await a formal written response from them.

I am concerned that people are not receiving cancer results for months, when the organisation has them.

My own treatment will start 4 weeks before they were going to tell me I had it now, because I challenged them.

If anyone has had experience of a PLC dealing with their diagnosis or treatment I would be interested to know what their experience was.

It's a frightening time and I'm worried about the treatment because of what has happened.

Good luck Dearheart.

Polly84

More from this forum

They knew I had BCC, but were not going to tell me for 11 weeks.