"On the second visit (to a different ..."

What I liked

On the second visit (to a different part of the ward) the attitude of the staff was completely different. I almost couldn't believe it was the same hospital- they were friendly, polite and respectful.

What could be improved

I was sent to the Gynaecology Ward for an early termination of pregnancy. The attitude and behaviour of the staff was shocking.

I was shouted at by a nurse when I became distressed during my scan. I was shaking and the nurse got angry with me because I wasn't in the right position. When I started crying, the nurse just rolled their eyes and folded their arms.

After the scan, the councillor I was required by law to see yawned their way through a sheet of questions, then told me that Christmas was coming up so I should make sure I don't "party" so hard, and they hoped I'd learned my lesson.

In the last consultation I asked the nurse if would miscarry straightaway at the hospital, or at home. The nurse laughed at me. I asked what exactly was funny about that question? The nurse was apologetic, and said they thought it was obvious that it would be at home. The nurse did apologise but for goodness sake how unprofessional can you be?

Finally a nurse wandered in to that last consultation chewing on a sandwich and and they started chatting without even acknowledging me or apologising for interrupting.

In general the nurses didn't look me in the eye or treat me with any respect. I wondered if this was due to personal feelings about abortion. But then why do that job?

Anything else?

I have to say when I returned for the second appointment, two floors up on the same ward, the experience was very different. Everyone was kind, it was clean and there was privacy. I almost sobbed with relief as I had been so afraid of going back.