It is a protocol to make sure they don't miss something.  It certainly  doesn't stop you worrying but much better in the long run  than being told `not to worry it's ok, go away' like the old days. Timescales vary depending on your local area. I was scared to be on the 2 week wait and it took months rather than weeks.  All my results were face to face but again, it seems to vary.  But you once on the pathway, you  do generally get to  see specialists who really know what they are doing.