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Topic starter
I went to my doctor regarding two moles on my upper back, an urgent referral was made and two weeks later I had an appointment at a private dermatology centre. Photographs were taken and I was told they would be sent to my local hospital. Two weeks after this IÂ received an appointment to have a face to face with a doctor in three weeks at 1.15pm. However in capital letters it said, "Do not attend." I contacted the hospital and was told this the way they get me into the system and I am not to attend. Has anyone come across this before?
The cynical part of me says this is a way of reducing their waiting list and helping to meet their targets.
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Posted : 16/04/2025 8:16 am
Hmmm. It may just be their system doesn't allow an appointment or time booking without inviting a patient. So they may be having a MDT meeting or similar about your case but there's no way of not inviting you.
Posted : 16/04/2025 8:23 am
Topic starter
Thanks for reply, something explaining that is what is happening would help.Hmmm. It may just be their system doesn't allow an appointment or time booking without inviting a patient. So they may be having a MDT meeting or similar about your case but there's no way of not inviting you.
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Posted : 16/04/2025 8:29 am
Hope everything is ok. I guess at least whatever is happening is happening quickly!Â
Posted : 16/04/2025 8:38 am
I went through the moles/urgent appointment process a few years ago. It's worrying, but it was quick and ultimately nothing to worry about.
They took a lot of photos of me in my pants, then close ups of the worst moles. Medical photos are not flattering
Posted : 16/04/2025 9:33 am
Probably as jeffl says, or a way of keeping you updated on stuff you don't have to attend.
Mine was the same, GP took pics, they were sent off to a specialist to review, and GP was told to monitor and take no action if they didn't change.
Good to do, though, as it was during one of my checkups that they spotted the BCC on my nose that has recently been removed. Had the letter yesterday to say it was just basal cell, so nothing more to worry about 👍🏻
Posted : 16/04/2025 9:46 am
Topic starter
Thanks for replies, all helpful.
Posted : 16/04/2025 11:53 am
Reminds me of the superb service I got a few years ago for a skin issue. Got outpatient slot at Yorkhill in Glasgow 2 weeks after seeing GP. Arrived 10 minutes early for my appt. The previous patient was a no show (arsehole) so I was taken in right away. Doc looked at it. Consultant looked at it. Photo taken and sample for lab. Back at car 25 mins after I arrived.
I rarely use the NHS. The last time following a stupid DY fall I went to the minor injuries in Glasgow QE Hosp on a Friday evening expecting a long wait. No queue. Seen within 5 mins and out on my way home in about 30 or 40 mins.
Posted : 16/04/2025 11:58 am
IANADr
I think that by having a private consultation you've skipped a step. The NHS system doesn't recognise this and has booked you a consultation, however, you don't need to attend because it was already done privately
When the Dr tells you that local anaesthetic jabbed into your back will hurt, it does!
The good news is that the removed lesion will be sent to a lab to see what it is, the NHS doesn't do guesses. Mine turned out to be benign
Posted : 16/04/2025 8:09 pm
Topic starter
I perhaps didn't word it very well, but the visit to the private dermatology centre, for the photos, was through the NHS nothing to do with me.ÂIANADr
I think that by having a private consultation you've skipped a step. The NHS system doesn't recognise this and has booked you a consultation, however, you don't need to attend because it was already done privately
When the Dr tells you that local anaesthetic jabbed into your back will hurt, it does!
The good news is that the removed lesion will be sent to a lab to see what it is, the NHS doesn't do guesses. Mine turned out to be benign
Listening to the news this morning it does seem to be a new procedure that will be used more and more. Information regarding a patient is sent to a consultant, a decision is then made, using the information, as to whether the patient will be given a face to face with the consultant or referred back to the doctor to monitor the patient. Â
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Posted : 17/04/2025 7:39 am
That was my experience. My GP said they now had the device to inspect the mole and take pics of it. Maybe others are using private to do it. When I was in a pharmacy recently, I noticed they also offer private checks.
Pics were uploaded to the dermatologist team to decide if further action was needed. Only when they spotted an issue, I then had a face-to-face appointment with dermo, and the operation planned.
Posted : 17/04/2025 9:08 am
Feels like a work around so the don't have pay to add a feature to their software system to deal with the edge case of a private referral.Â
Our GP does similar with their online booking system
Posted : 17/04/2025 11:02 pm
For a completely different reason, I've had the same.
- see GP
- GP referral to hospitalÂ
- hospital appointment appears in my NHS App for the correct department inc info on a specific time / date etc.
- text message to say 'Do Not Attend' as its not really an appointment - but a date when the case will be reviewed by the department, to decide what next.  A phone call to the department confirmed this step was indeed NOT for me to attend.
- subsequently got a 2nd appointment appear in the NHS App, for a month ish later. That one is confirmed as being in person, where I'll be prodded / poked / interfered with.
