Hello
I have recently joined after being diagnosed with BCC. Reading through many of the discussions about when people are actually receiving treatment for cancer, I don't understand why very few actually happen within the 18 week cancer pathway from referral to treatment commencing ?
The NHS guidelines on the pathway appear to be clear, and yet so few actually have their treatment in those time limits.
The guidelines say that if treatment is unable to be commenced within that time frame then they should refer you to someone who can do it within that time frame, or have I misunderstood this ?
Surely 2 years to start treatment is not acceptable.
From my own mental state having been diagnosed (which they weren't going to tell me for 11 weeks) to then have to wait two years is appalling.
Have others complained about this ? And what happened ?
Thank you for reading this.
Hi Polly84
I haven't had the wait for BCCs to be removed that you are experiencing but I can understand the frustration in wanting it removed as soon as possible.
Have you spoken to your consultant to ask why there is such a long wait in your area? If so, and you don't feel you've had a satisfactory response, then you could speak to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital you're attending. Part of their remit is to help resolve problems and concerns when you're using the NHS.
When you have a minute, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and proposed treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
