Urgent referrals Flashcards
What is a two week wait doctor?
This is an urgent referral and it means you should see a specialise within 2 weeks.
Does this mean I have cancer?
Being referred to a specialist does not mean you have cancer. Fewer than 1 in 10 people who are referred to a specialist actually have cancer. However, it is important to get you checked as quick as possible to find out what is going on, and to catch anything that might be nasty as early as possible.
What happens next?
You should receive you appointment details within 48 hours. If you have not received them in this time you need to contact me.
The appointment letter will tell you where to go and when and anything you may need to do before you attend so it is important that you read it.
You will go for a hospital appointment, then for some tests and then you’ll get any results.
Handy hints for people?
Take your appointment letter with you
If you are struggling to book time off work, the Citizens Advice website has more info on you rights.
Take a pen and paper in case you want to write anything down
Sometimes you may not be able to drive yourself home after certain tests - the letter will advice you on this
Where should they head to to find out more?
The cancer research uk website has some good information on the urgent referral, including questions you might want to ask the specialist - although it might be scary to head to the website, take a look.
Does the two week wait improve mortality?
Yes
Henrik Møller conducted a study in September 2015 showing that GP practices who had a higher referral rate, had a reduced cancer mortality rate in those patients.
