Current PSA Testing Situation

User

Posted 09 Sep 2020 at 15:14

Ladies & Gents

I just wanted to get a sense of the state of current PSA testing across the country.

I had my RP last June and was due a PSA Consultation in March. I had the blood test but the result came by post in May. Consultant said he wanted to see me for my 12 month test after 13 months, ie July. I’ve still heard nothing and two attempts to make a request have been made and met with silence on the issue of resumption of outpatient clinics. Without naming hospitals I am in Worcestershire. What’s the situation like in your neck of the woods?

Rob

User

Posted 09 Sep 2020 at 16:24

PSA testing has not been impacted by my GP. (4 or 5 local GP practices run a shared phlebotomy service which has managed to continue running, much to everyone's surprise.)

Consultant appointments have been by telephone (started doing video ones a month ago), and delayed by around a month.

I know it's patchy around the country.

User

Posted 09 Sep 2020 at 17:46

I understand, many Phlebotamist's have gone to "Track & trace" for more money, thus there is a shortage in some places...

User

Posted 09 Sep 2020 at 17:54

Booked my blood test for early October yesterday. Had a few blood tests since Covid situation started. Notts.

Thanks Chris

Edited by member 09 Sep 2020 at 19:04 | Reason: Auto correct is a pain

User

Posted 09 Sep 2020 at 18:21

Covid isn't affecting things here. John has had all his PSA tests on time, at the GP practice; most recent was yesterday.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 09 Sep 2020 at 19:00

I’ve had a few blood tests at my GP surgery over the last few months including PSA.

Ido4

User

Posted 09 Sep 2020 at 19:15

Hi Rob,

I found myself in a similar situation to you. I'm waiting for my third post-op PSA and any appointments I had have been cancelled.

After getting lost in the hospital phone system a few times, I emailed PALS for advice. They have promised to put a form in the post and arrange a telephone consultation.. fingers crossed.

Kev.

User

Posted 09 Sep 2020 at 20:35

Had a little trouble getting my first test, which was eary in lockdown, but the second was no problem, although it's not at my usual clinic. Also had another one to check on another condition. Not running normally, but there doesn't seem to be much problem getting one.

User

Posted 09 Sep 2020 at 22:07

No issues with my GP. Had mine in Feb/May/August. Just have to call and book. In May they had to check it was still a test they were doing in lockdown. Non issue once they verified with practise manager. One in/Out at the surgery.

User

Posted 09 Sep 2020 at 22:24

Surprised how things vary across the country.

No blood tests at my local GP. I need to go to the "while you wait" service at hospital (and car park fees are back). I have never worked out an optimal time and the wait can vary from 5 minutes to 1 hour.

User

Posted 10 Sep 2020 at 07:49

Our GP surgery remains closed. Who knows when they'll reopen. They are still running a telephone triage service which is frankly a poor substitute for proper health care.

For PSA checks I just drive down to the drop in centre in a neighbouring town and get a test done. Wait time isn't to bad if I get there just after they open.

Getting pessimistic that things will ever get back to normal. It's life folks but not as we know it.

User

Posted 10 Sep 2020 at 08:48

I get my PSA tests done by the nurse at my GP's surgery. I can normally see the results on the online system within 24h. Have you asked if your GP can do the test rather than having it done at the hospital?

Best wishes,

Chris

User

Posted 10 Sep 2020 at 10:45

My PSA tests are done at my GP's surgery too. Next one booked on 15th Sep prior to telephone consultation with UCLH the following week. No trouble in getting PSA test appointment wanted but I did arrange two weeks in advance.

Barry

User

Posted 10 Sep 2020 at 16:05

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Our GP surgery remains closed. Who knows when they'll reopen. They are still running a telephone triage service which is frankly a poor substitute for proper health care.

For PSA checks I just drive down to the drop in centre in a neighbouring town and get a test done. Wait time isn't to bad if I get there just after they open.

Getting pessimistic that things will ever get back to normal. It's life folks but not as we know it.

Sadely - other than Covid treatment, there is not much else being done by the NHS.

They are scared stiff of it.

User

Posted 10 Sep 2020 at 17:59

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Sadely - other than Covid treatment, there is not much else being done by the NHS.

They are scared stiff of it.

At least there's no need for the ED clinic then 😂

_____

Two cannibals named Ectomy and Prost, all alone on a Desert island.

Prost was the strongest, so Prost ate Ectomy.

User

Posted 11 Sep 2020 at 11:42

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Sadely - other than Covid treatment, there is not much else being done by the NHS.

They are scared stiff of it.

At least there's no need for the ED clinic then 😂

It took a few moments, for that to sink in....😎

User

Posted 14 Sep 2020 at 07:37

In the Coventry area there are umpteen chemists that do blood tests, plus the NHS walk-in centre and the bllion-pound super hospital (with its billion-pound parking charges😉) itself.

The doctor gives me a blood test form which I photocopy as necessary. I am up to six-monthly tests now. I get the undetectable (so far) PSA results next morning on my iPad.

Cheers, John.

User

Posted 18 Sep 2020 at 00:23

I was told my next PSA test should take place around mid June (3 month cycle) I heard nothing & chased it up I was told the Hospital (Royal Derby) was playing catch up & a blood test form would be sent out to me soon. I had a phone appointment with my Nurse Specialist early July & mentioned that I hadn't had my test yet & she sent me the form, I eventually had my test on 27th July at my local Surgery.

So a bit of a delay but result was good 0.04 - 9 months after RARP.

User

Posted 18 Sep 2020 at 04:39

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

So a bit of a delay but result was good 0.04 - 9 months after RARP.

You’ll be due another one soon - start arranging it now! 😂😂😂

I’ve just had a fourth postponement letter for a dermatological appointment due last February, supposed to be next Friday, now put off again till October...

User

Posted 12 Oct 2020 at 11:32

Two months after my supposed date I decided to ring the consultant’s secretary. Took me quite a while to get through, but Fort Knox was eventually breached. She explained that because the consultant had ‘entered it onto the system’ I was free to approach my GP for a blood test. This phrase had been on the letter from March. I didn’t use these words but my response was, ‘how the bloody hell am I supposed to know that?’ She replied that the majority of patients would not know that! I was speechless. Previously the system was that the consultant would send me an appointment and I would arrange the blood test with my GP.
Anyway, after the blood test the consultant would decide on a) face to face appointment b) telephone appointment c) letter. That was three weeks ago. Stupidly, I didn’t ask for a timeframe. So I didn’t have a 9 month appointment, 12 months has been and gone, 15 months has been and gone. But don’t worry, the NHS is open.

User

Posted 12 Oct 2020 at 13:02

Where the NHS is concerned you have to chase, chase and chase again. The administration is a shambles.

User

Posted 12 Oct 2020 at 14:50

My blood tests and appointments all run to schedule thankfully

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