"Breast clinic visit experience"

Last week I got to attend the Breast clinic at Crosshouse Hospital following a referral by my GP back in October/November 2018.

As you can imagine for any women this is an anxious time especially with the length of wait. My GP had reassured me I did not need an urgent referral but felt a review my this clinic was worth doing. Well sadly my experience has left me feeling I was wasting their time.

On arrival I was greeted and processed politely and kindly by the reception staff and by the person who called me into the room. Unfortunately the doctor did not show the same level of caring that I would be looking for in these circumstances. They entered the curtain area, briefly introduced themselves and mentioned reason for my GP referral, I got to give a very brief explanation of things before I was asked to lay on the bed. This was all done with me sitting and the doctor standing over me, there was no thought or consideration gone into that I maybe extremely nervous and worried (which I was). They appeared in a rush to get me seen, made a tutting/annoyed noise when I wished to remove my shoes even though and told me I didn't need too to lay on the bed.

The doctor quickly examined my breasts while talking that breast pain is not linked to cancer, made some brief questions about my caffeine intake all while examining me. It is really hard to listen or process any conversation at this time when being examined. I was told all was fine, there was no need for further tests to try and find out cause and then they left. I honestly think they were in my room for all of 3 minutes. After I dressed the person left behind then asked if I wanted any leaflets or had a googled breast pain enough to have read it all (I had mentioned I had googled it many times to the doctor before seeing GP because I kept trying to tell myself it was all ok but then realised I should seek medical reassurance to be certain). This comment really had an impact on me and on top of how I had been rushed through the clinic, made me feel like they all thought my reason for being there was pointless.

At no point did anyone even acknowledge that breast pain will cause women concern, I was spoke to either with the doctor looking down on me or while examining me. If only they could have sat down and spent just another 3 minutes at the end talking to me about how unlikely it was anything to be concerned about, other things is could be and the reasons why they thought this I would have then left feeling reassured all was well. But in fact I have left feeling more insecure and worried . My initial GP review had been more detailed and I felt listened to and my GP acknowledged why someone would worry, her reassurance had helped but at the end of the day she felt a more specialist review was required. Unfortunately I was made to feel like it I should never have been referred by this doctor and the Ayrshire and Arran value of caring was certainly lacking on at this appointment. That doctor may find what I was referred to non concerning and insignificant but for me I had spent weeks and certainly most of the day leading up to my appointment worried. Please remember people can feel vulnerable and fragile coming to your clinic, a little empathy and a few extra minutes is all that is needed to turn what was a horrible experience for me into one that would have left me reassured.