My first post. I would be most interested to hear about peoples “treatment journey times” from referral to diagnosis. From a blood test taken in September I had a PSA reading of 177 and was therefore referred to the hospital by my GP on the 21st September.
Oct 6th – appointment with a specialist nurse
Oct 18th MRI scan
Oct 24th Informed by nurse of results and told that I would require a biopsy.
As I did not receive a letter confirming a date for the biopsy I rang the Urology department to be told that the hospital had run out of the specialised “needles” and that there was a national shortage and they were trying to find a supplier! I have not to date received any official notification regards the delay.
I have since found out that the number requiring this biopsy is now thirty and the list started towards the end of September. I am informed that these needles have been sourced elsewhere and require a two week sterilization programme so I am to assume that the biopsy procedures will not commence before the 14th November?! Add to this the week++ for the results therefore so much government cancer guidelines for 62 days from referral to diagnosis.
I have contacted Patient Advice and Liason who have logged this as a “dangerous incident.” The anxiety of cancer is enough without having to contend with unnecessary delays.