"Complete lack of healthcare for women"

I was referred to gynaecology by the contraception team at the Genito-Urinary clinic for the insertion of a coil in September 2024 after two failures to insert in their clinic – the first time, the doctor at the GU clinic tried to insert the coil without anaesthetic and it caused such pain that my blood pressure meant they had to abort. The second time, they set up a block, but the same happened again. On account of these two failed procedures, they assessed that the coil would have to be fitted under general anaesthetic, hence referring me to the gynaecology unit.

I received a letter with an appointment at Purley War Hospital, and then got a phone call to say this needed to change to be at the main unit at Croydon University Hospital. I had taken the day off and attended the appointment thinking it was to have the procedure, but instead I was asked the same questions that had been asked by the GU clinic in the first place so this was a total waste of time. The doctor at the gynae unit said I would be added to the waiting list. When I asked how long the wait was, they said it would be about 2-3 months.

In February, I spoke to my GP as I hadn’t heard anything. They gave me the number for the gynae unit to chase up. Whenever I phoned, the call just rang out without being answered. I tried all the options on the menu and left a message with the obstetrics department as that was the only department with a voicemail. Nobody called me back.

In March, I received a text asking me to complete a waiting list patient validation form, which I filled out to confirm I am still waiting for the procedure.

It’s been a further three months now and I’ve called again for help but not getting through to anyone on the number on my letter. The phone still just rings out. I’ve been through the switchboard, transferred to a secretary who told me it was the wrong department and I need to speak to admissions, been put through to admissions and back to the phone not being answered.

I managed to get through to one of the admissions teams– it wasn’t the right one but the person said they were sitting next to the gynae admissions person and that they would call me back. They did not call me back.

I spent this morning once again ringing all the numbers I have with no answer. Then the main hospital switch board passed me through to every department they could think of and nobody could help or the phone rang out.

The complete lack of care for women at this hospital is appalling.