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Appointment

Posted By NPatient

"Appointment"

About: NHS Ayrshire & Arran / South West Scotland Breast Screening Centre

(as a service user),

I was scheduled for a breast screening appointment. My letter stated horseshoe building at Irvine central. On arrival I noted large signs saying breast screening service which I naturally went in to. I was met with an empty reception and a bell.

No one answered when I range the bell. 

I went into the main reception to look for signs for the “blue zone” as stated on the letter. 

There was no blue zone. You were in fact supposed to attend the outpatients reception.

For someone who was nervous about an appointment or who may not speak English, this was not helpful. 

Could the letter sent out for breast screenings simply be changed from blue zone to outpatients department? This would make an experience far more pleasant. 

Thank you 

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Responses

Response from Christine Montgomery, Breast Screening Service Administration Manager, South West of Scotland Breast Screening Service, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 6 months ago
Christine Montgomery
Breast Screening Service Administration Manager, South West of Scotland Breast Screening Service,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

Manages the staff and admin. process for the SWS BSS

Submitted on 21/11/2024 at 11:51
Published on Care Opinion at 11:59

Dear NPatient

Thank you for taking the time to feedback on your recent visit to the Breast Clinic.

I am sorry that you found the information in the letter and signage unsatisfactory and that you arrived to an empty reception area.

The reception at the routine Breast Screening Centre is mostly manned but unfortunately on that day there was no clinic being held. The bell sounds in the upstairs of the department so can take a bit of time for staff to respond.

I have passed your feedback onto the symptomatic Breast Services Team to make them aware.

Thank you once again for taking the time to provide feedback. This helps us to improve our services.

Kind regards

Christine

Administration Manager, South West of Scotland Breast Screening Service

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by NPatient (a service user)

Thank you for your quick response.

There are some quick fixes that may be helpful-

- simply changing the letter sent out would be great

- making signage at the main door clearer and moving all the storage trolleys from the door again would be helpful

- making the waiting area a little less sterile and more welcoming by using the same approach around wellbeing that you use for staff would be a great start by using softer seating and generally creating a more relaxed space

Thank you for your consideration

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