🌟Patient Story: The Wait for a Crucial Scan

When I was first diagnosed with head and neck cancer, I quickly learned that time is everything. The sooner a test is done, the sooner a diagnosis is confirmed, and the sooner treatment can begin. But what happens when the system doesn't work the way it should? When a simple routine scan turns into weeks of uncertainty and anxiety?

I recently faced this reality firsthand. A routine scan was scheduled for me at Greenlane Clinical Centre, something that should have been straightforward. But then, I received the news that the machine was broken. "We’ll reschedule soon," they assured me. I waited a week. Then another. And another. Over two weeks passed with no scan, no updates, and no clear answers.

Each day that went by, my worry grew. What if my condition was changing? What if something new was developing? For those of us who have faced cancer, the fear of the unknown can be overwhelming. Every delay feels like a gamble with our health.

I tried calling to get more information, but the responses were vague. "We’re doing our best to get the machine fixed," I was told. "We’re working through a backlog of patients." I understand that healthcare services are under immense pressure, but for patients, the waiting is excruciating.

After weeks of waiting, I was finally given an appointment. The relief was immense, but the experience left me shaken. It shouldn’t take this long for a crucial scan. We shouldn’t have to chase answers when our health is on the line.

For many head and neck cancer patients, timely scans are critical. They can mean the difference between catching something early or facing more invasive treatments later. When delays like this happen, patients aren’t just left waiting—they are left worrying, wondering, and feeling forgotten by the system meant to care for them.

Our healthcare system needs to do better. Whether it's improving access to alternative facilities, ensuring faster repairs, or simply keeping patients informed, something must change. Because behind every delayed scan is a patient, waiting, hoping, and fearing the worst.

If you've faced similar delays, speak up. Our voices matter, and together, we can push for a healthcare system that truly prioritises timely care for all.