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Incivility From a Nurse

Posted By AchyCVBlob

"Incivility From a Nurse"

About: New Stobhill Hospital / Gynaecology Clinic

(as the patient),

I am clinically vulnerable. I wear a mask when I attend medical appointments. I also make reasonable adjustment requests that the health care workers mask. I do this every time.

Not only were none of them masking on my visit to Clinic F, a nurse felt it appropriate to ask me why I was wearing a mask, then tell me since we weren't in a real hospital there was no need. This ignorance is astounding, but beyond that wholly inappropriate to tell me.

There is a clear power imbalance in these situations, where I am dependent on the HCWs and literally naked in just a gown about to have my vagina looked at. The least your staff can do is not be rude about my masking. A step up would be mirroring my behaviour.

There is a 2-meter-tall impacts of incivility poster in the waiting area, but I guess that only applies to staff? It seems as if they can treat us like rubbish and we just have to smile and nod or risk not receiving care.

I'm multiply disabled and I'd like to be able to get care without staff being rude to me for trying to protect myself. People are still catching covid and other airborne viruses and it's killing and disabling them. I expect healthcare settings in particular to be aware of this, or at least not so confidently and rudely push their ignorance on better informed patients. Just don't say anything.

I shudder to think of what this nurse might say to me if I brought in a mobility aid, or some other assistive device. 

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Responses

Response from Nikki Harvey, Lead nurse -Gynaecology, Gynaecology, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 3 weeks ago
Nikki Harvey
Lead nurse -Gynaecology, Gynaecology,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 07/08/2025 at 09:39
Published on Care Opinion at 09:39

picture of Nikki Harvey

Dear [Patient's Name],

Thank you for taking the time to share your recent experience at Clinic F. I would like to sincerely apologise that your visit left you feeling disrespected and unsupported. As Lead Nurse for Gynaecology, I take your concerns extremely seriously.

I am particularly sorry to hear that you were made to feel uncomfortable in relation to your request for staff to wear a mask during your appointment. While current policy does not require staff to wear masks routinely, we absolutely recognise that some patients, particularly those who are clinically vulnerable, may request additional precautions. These requests should always be met with respect and professionalism.

Your feedback also highlights a broader issue around how you felt you were treated during intimate procedures. You should never feel dismissed or questioned. I regret that this was your experience, and I understand how distressing this must have felt at an already difficult time.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to speak with you further, to fully understand what happened and explore how we can ensure a more respectful and inclusive experience for all patients. If you feel comfortable, please contact me directly on:

Nikki.Harvey@nhs.scot

and I will be happy to arrange a time to talk at your convenience.

Once again, thank you for bringing this to our attention. Your feedback will be shared with the relevant team and will inform ongoing staff reflection and training.

With kind regards,

Nikki

Nikki Harvey Lead Nurse Gynaecology

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