"Poor layout of facilities giving lack of privacy/dignity"

I recently underwent an abdominal scan at Woodend Hospital which required me to have a full bladder. Further investigations were needed with a transvaginal scan so the sonographer suggested I go empty my bladder first. The waiting area is basically at the end of a corridor near the ultrasound room and adjacent to the toilet and 2 changing cubicles. I felt uncomfortable going to the toilet knowing that I was within earshot of people in the waiting area a couple of metres away, especially as I had a full bladder.

When I came out the health care assistant gave me a gown and asked me to undress my bottom half, this was within sight and hearing distance of people, male and female, in the waiting area. When I left the changing cubicle I had to walk with my back to the waiting area trying to clutch the back of my gown. My clothes were left in the cubicle but my bag and jacket were in the ultrasound room so after the scan I had to try grab my bag and jacket with one hand while holding my gown with the other. I then had to walk back to the changing cubicle facing the waiting area in the hospital gown. I also wasn’t given anything to clear away the gel before getting dressed. 

The examination and scans went smoothly, the sonographer and health care assistant were great, very professional and talked me through everything. They were also very chatty which put me at ease during the scans. 

Outwith the ultrasound room I felt very exposed and uncomfortable knowing that people in the waiting room had heard me being asked to remove my lower clothing then see me walking about in the hospital gown. I then had to walk past those same people on my way out. 

I would suggest moving the waiting area further up the corridor out of view and hearing distance to protect the dignity of patients, especially those undergoing scans that require them to get undressed. The scan room is quite small but it would be hugely beneficial if it was possible to have a screened area within the scan room to allow patients to change there.

Overall the healthcare professionals were brilliant, really put me at ease but the layout of the facilities so close to the waiting area was very uncomfortable.