Breast cancer
posted by Twinkle3
13 October 2021

Current Wait Times for Symptomatic Clinic

Last reply: 16 November 2021 20:29

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.

6 comments

Comments

commented by Jenni53
14 October 2021

14 October 2021 15:37

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

commented by Debbie Harrington
16 November 2021

16 November 2021 20:29

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

commented by hope47
14 October 2021

14 October 2021 18:04

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 🙏🏻🤞🥰

commented by eyna
15 October 2021

15 October 2021 10:17

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

commented by hope47
18 October 2021

18 October 2021 22:44

Hi eyna, the Mater private for surgery and oncology. Wishing you the best in your journey. 😊🙏🏻

commented by Cancer Nurse
20 October 2021

20 October 2021 14:05

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

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