"Changing times"

I’ve always been very happy with the staff at the clinics I visit (Tamworth and Branston). Some time ago I had a major problem with Medical delivery provider, I was without medication for ten days. I’m therefore very pleased that this provider has now been replaced with another provider. I would hate for any other service user to go through the anxiety I felt throughout the period with no medication.

It’s sad to have witnessed all of the turmoil the staff have had to go through over the past few years. It’s also been sad to see the staff so unsure about their futures, although none of the staff have ever complained to me about it. I’ve always asked and been interested in how they are as they’ve always provided a first class service to me. I really don’t think they’re appreciated enough by MPFT. Additionally, now that the separate and private clinic at Robert Peel has been moved to a new location inside the hospital, there’s no longer any privacy which is difficult for all service users, and I imagine particularly so for first time visitors who will be much more nervous about being seen in a sexual health clinic.

For all of the publicity around sexual health, there is still a lot of stigma attached to this area of medicine. What I worry about is the possibility that people who may need to visit to put their minds at rest through simple testing, might now not attend a clinic. I’m aware that a lot of testing can be done at home with self-test kits, but this doesn’t provide any human interaction and therefore can’t give any reassurance and comfort. Sadly it seems that sexual health is being pushed further back in priorities as more emphasis and exposure is given to the mental health crisis we see all over the country.

Of particular annoyance to me is the fact that I have to go to Branston for bloods and to see the consultant, where previously I was mostly seen in Tamworth where I live. Again, this could result in a service user being unable to attend an appointment, or to experience difficulties in getting to appointments.