Current Wait Times for Symptomatic Clinic
I am just wondering what everyone's experience has been regarding waiting times to be seen at the Symptomatic Clinic?
I discovered a lump on my breast about two weeks ago. I was seen by my GP a few days later and she agreed it needed to be assessed and sent a referral to the Clinic in Galway.
I am reading about wait times of up to 8 weeks given COVID backlogs. Does anyone know if I am likely to be waiting that long? I have a very strong family history of aggressive breast cancer unfortunately so am absolutely worried sick.
I also have private health insurance but not sure if this is something I can use to get an initial assessment or where?
Any help would be really appreciated.
Comments
Hi Twinkle3, I used my private Health Insurance for my Triple assessment and got seen within 8 days, publicly it would have taken 6 weeks (Dublin). I am going public for the rest of my treatment but if you have Private Health Insurance you can use it to get a Mammogram, Ultrasound, Biopsy much quicker. Hope that helps and best of luck x
Hi Twinkle3, if you have insurance get your GP to do an urgent referral for a triple assessment. I found a lump and my GP put me through the public and private. Was seen privately within 10 days and had a diagnosed before getting a call publicly. It’s awful that this is the case but time is so important and the sooner the better. I’m in Dublin but I’d ring your GP to make the referral marked urgent and then follow up directly with the Galway clinic yourself. I wish you well 🙏🏻🤞🥰
Hi, I'm in the same situation too & I'm in Dublin. Contacted a few private clinic and their waiting times are also weeks. I don't have insurance so will be self paying. May I ask hope47, which private clinic did you go? and were you followed up in public or private hosp? thanks
Hi eyna, the Mater private for surgery and oncology. Wishing you the best in your journey. 😊🙏🏻
Dear Twinkle3
Thank you for posting on our online community. This must be a very anxious time for you and I am glad to see you have had replies from other ladies.
If you would like to, you could phone our support line and speak to a cancer nurse about your referral. All referrals are triaged by the Consultant. They are marked urgent based on the information the GP has provided. Once it has been triaged you could ring the Clinic and see if it has been marked urgent.
I do hope we will get a chance to speak to you on the phone at 1800 200 700. We are here Mon-Fri 9-5pm or you can contact our cancer nurses in the Daffodil Centres. You will see from this list that we have a nurse in Galway University Hospital. See here
Kind regards
Cancer Nurse
Hi Twinkle3
While I can't answer your question about the wait times for the breast clinic in Galway. Maybe you could ring them and ask about the waiting time to be seen. You can use your private health insurance to get an initial assessment. Ring your GP and ask them to refer you privately.
Hope this helps and wishing you the best of luck with your appointment when you get it.
Best wishes
Jenni53