"I was assured that it would be a female doctor taking care of me."

I called to book an appointment for a colposcopy and asked for a female gynaecologist since I have PTSD from rape and assault and would get very triggered if that service was given to me about a man. I was assured that it would be a female doctor taking care of me.

I showed up on the day and was brought by a nurse to a room where I was left alone with a man. I instantly told him that I was sorry but had asked for a female gynaecologist, he giggled in a derisory way before telling me that there are no female gynaecologists. I said I still wanted one and he said I’d have to come back another time since there were none today but he can take care of me now. I said if my partner could accompany me I could maybe be ok but was told it wasn’t a possibility. So I said I’d like to reschedule. He instantly got up to open the door, I tried to apologise for wasting his time and he mumbled something under his breath before telling the nurses that I wanted a female gynaecologist, one of them frowned as if it was a rude request.

No one apologised, no one tried to make sure I was ok and to reschedule for me. I felt very uncomfortable and triggered by this experience, if I didn’t have the confidence to speak out for my needs I would’ve gone through a traumatic experience due to this error. What if another patient didn’t have the same ability to speak out and did go through it? I feel sick and I hope this will be checked more carefully in the future.