"Negative Experience "

I visited the practice to have a blood test done. Firstly, there are signs pointing to the main entrance which is at the opposite end of the building, away from the car park, when there is a door for entry in the building facing the car park. This was about a 1-2 minutes walk and contributed to my arriving late for my appointment. Plus, I struggled to get to the practice due some personal challenges and I had my newborn with me which made me a couple minutes late. I went to the Reception desk said I was here for an appointment and that I was late. I was kindly informed that I did not need to register and I should have a seat in the waiting area and waited to be called in, the place was empty. I went in and sat down, the Phlebotomist came out to call another patient who was not there. She then saw me and asked what time was my appointment and when told her she then invited me in the room to have my bloods taken. Her face was not pleasant and before I could sit down she proceeded to speak to me in a cold, insensitive and unfriendly manner saying that I was late and the appointment is no more than 5 minutes to which I immediately apologised. I then shared that I didn't appreciate how I was spoken to and that she didn't demonstrate that she had any consideration that there could be a valid reason for me arriving slightly later than my appointment time. She then said she would not apologise. She proceeded to say that I didn't apologise right away when I came in, to which I responded that she didn't give me a chance.

She went on tod say that she will not apologise as she doesn't feel she said anything wrong. She then asked if I want her to do the procedure or if I want to make other arrangements. I told her to continue and reiterated that I am not happy with the way she handled the situation. She took the bloods and then said that other people ( I suppose she was referring to staff) would not have done the procedure due to me being late, but she has chosen to do it.

This encounter added to a very stressful and traumatic time was having with my 8 week old baby since the evening before.

To imagine that this is a women's health health clinic and to be treated with absolutely no empathy at all is unacceptable and worrying. I can only imagine what happens to women who are not courageous enough to speak up about this type of treatment. Something needs to be done about this unkind, unwsrranted and unprofessional conduct.