Inequality of diagnostics and treatment across Scotland

Hi Madaboutcoffee

There does seem to be a big variation between hospitals. I am in England and was lucky in that I went from first symptom to surgery in 4 weeks. I am very aware that many ladies have waited a lot longer in all stages of testing, diagnosis and treatment. 

I hope that your MRI can be done quickly. The only thing I can suggest is to call the hospital for an update and also to ask if there is a cancellation list. 

Jane

Thanks for reply and I’m glad you had a good experience.  Mine is awful. I’m at 3 months so far and haven’t had an MRI yet.  It’s just seems ridiculous that there is such a variation. We shouldn’t need to beg and chase for appointments / cancellations, especially when having cancer and trying to reduce stress. 

Woman deserve better. 

That is not good. I am sorry that you are having to deal with this. I agree you shouldn't have to keep chasing things up when you are dealing with the stress of a cancer diagnosis. 

In England we have PALS who you can contact. 

The link below is for Scotland and PASS. I wonder if they can do anything.

PASS | Patient Advice and Support Service Scotland

Jane

1. I am really sorry to hear this - it is unacceptable and extremely stress provoking! 
   I am in England and from my GP visit to diagnosis was 6-7 weeks. Then 6 weeks until surgery. 
   I am now on chemo and having trouble with appointments. I actually got in quite a state for last chemo as I had no appointments sent to me and was having to chase on a booking line where you can only leave a message. I phoned various people including the hospital charity and finally sorted it. This morning I had not received the next round of appointments (third time now!) so decided to phone PALS. The lovely lady was very understanding and within an hour had spoken to the booking office who then telephoned me with appointments and have given me a direct email in case it happens again. Hopefully PASS can be as helpful for you in Scotland. It is exhausting and stressful having to chase all the time. I wish you all the best. 

That is so stressful and I hope things improve for you. This variation in standard of care seems possible as individual health boards are basically free to provide whatever good, or bad, treatment timescales they feel like. I’m not knocking staff - it must be a tough job to be on the frontline delivering cancer care in the NHS right now, but it’s certainly tough being on the receiving end of it. 

I agree it is not the staff. Everyone I have managed to speak to has been lovely, sympathetic and has tried to help. They tell me I should not be having to deal with all the chasing whilst having cancer. The booking office, when I eventually had a real person on the phone explained to me the main problem is the new system which does not take account of working on a bank holiday, plus they are a team of only 4 with a lovely gentleman who spends the day going through the many recorded messages! 
For a separate health condition, I had heard nothing after 3 months. I managed to phone the booking office and speak to somone who then gave me an appointment for in a few days! When I spoke to the consultant at the appointment she said that she didn’t understand it as she had lots of appointments available! Following that experience (I have now phoned to book subsequent appoints directly), I am much more proactive. We are our own best advocate and have to speak up or nothing will happen. 
It is more than unfair that you are having to wait so long with all the anxiety that causes. 
I don’t know what your situation is, but I am just asking the question. Would you be able to pay for an MRI privately so that you can move one step forwards? You should NOT have to do that, but it is about your health (and mental well being), and may be worth considering.