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Sexual health screening

Posted By soilwx67

"Sexual health screening"

About: Sidwell Street Clinic / Exeter Sexual Health

(as the patient),

I went in to see a doctor (not nurse) at Tiverton Hospital to discuss side effects with abnormal periods having recently had the contraceptive implant inserted 5 months ago.

It followed with a full STD screening which I was pleased with because I was keen to rule this out from the cause of my symptoms. I do not like needles so I looked away from the second the doctor went to get the needle. The blood was taken and they were holding pressure with a cotton ball to stop my bleeding, so knowing the needle was gone, I looked back to my arm to see they were not wearing gloves. I was so shocked and speechless that I didn’t even react in the moment.

Following this they went into a cupboard to find me some new medicine to slow my periods. We were talking about 5 minutes or so before it was realised I had been given the morning after pill, not the combined contraceptive pill, as intended.

Pretty concerning from a few angles.

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Responses

Response from April Brooks, Lead Nurse - Sexual Health, Devon Sexual Health, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust last week
April Brooks
Lead Nurse - Sexual Health, Devon Sexual Health,
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 19/08/2025 at 13:35
Published on Care Opinion at 13:40

picture of April Brooks

Hi soilwx67,

Thank you for taking the time to provide honest feedback about your recent visit to the Tiverton clinic. I was concerned to read about the points you make regarding infection control (glove wearing) and the near-miss with providing the correct medication. However, I was also glad to read that you received good advice and care with regards to investigating and managing the bleeding problems with your implant, that included an STI test.

Because the Care Opinion system is anonymous, we cannot pinpoint when you attended or identify who the staff member was who you saw during your consultation.

Receiving your feedback gives me a good opportunity to remind the whole team about infection control processes and care with medicines management. If you feel that it is important to ensure that feedback is given directly to the clinician who saw you, please could I ask you to email me in confidence at: rduh.shexeteradmin@nhs.net with details of your name, date of birth and date of your visit to Tiverton.

I can have a sensitive discussion with the clinician involved, so they have an opportunity to reflect on, and improve their clinical practice.

Thank you.

April Brooks

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