"I was becoming extremely distressed"

I went for a colonoscopy at Whiteabbey Hospital after tests by my GP revealed an abnormality. I was extremely anxious having never had the procedure before. I am also autistic and struggle with too much sensory input/processing events quickly. I told the nurse on arrival that I was really struggling and had been advised by the preassessment nurse that sedation would be the best option. 

I was left to wait for the doctor who stormed in, put a consent form down to sign and said nothing other than I should sign that. Doctor barely looked at me and it was clear they did not want to be there and were in a hurry.

I was terrified and didn't want this doctor to do the test but was scared to speak up.

When I entered the procedure room the doctor went to the computer in the corner and ignored me. The two nurses fired rapid questions at me and started putting tubes on my face and arms without asking or explaining what they were doing. I was becoming extremely distressed.

I remember the doctor putting the sedative in my IV with no warning as to what would happen and while I was struggling to cope with the new sensation from the drug they started the procedure with absolutely no warning.

It was a horrible experience and I remember pain and asking for help and asking what was happening, only to be ignored like I wasn't there. 

I felt violated afterwards and like the staff were not interested in my welfare at all. Terrible, mentally scarring experience.

The service needs to retrain staff on bedside manner and how to help neurodivergent patients (slow down to allow me to process and explain what to expect, don't touch without asking first, etc).

Opting for sedation makes you more vulnerable and should not mean staff can do whatever they want to your body without explanation or care.