"Experience of visit to a sexual health clinic"

As I imagine most people do that visit a sexual health clinic, I was feeling nervous, apprehensive, embarrassed and anxious about attending. This was all eased however by the lovely nurse on the reception desk who triaged my concern in the most mindful, considerate and caring way, making me feel relaxed and comfortable with the conversation and the sensitive details that I was divulging. She confirmed that she would ensure that I was seen by a male doctor, which pleased me as I didn't feel comfortable with being examined by a female.

10 minutes later I was then called into a different room by another female nurse who hadn't checked my notes and who I had to make aware that I'd already been seen once. She then proceeded to make me feel very uncomfortable due to the way she probed and the questions she asked. The content of the questions wasn't necessarily the issue but more the way that they were posed. It almost felt like I was being cross examined and there was very little compassion or empathy in anything she said.

After an unpleasant 10 minutes she then said that she could examine me if that was ok. I refused her offer and said that I would preferred to be examined by a male doctor which seemed to annoy her. I can only presume that she thought I was insinuating that she wasn't qualified enough but this was far from the case. I would happily be examined by a female if they made me feel comfortable which she did anything but.