"No knowledge of Poly Myositis "

I came in for an MRI scan. I am grateful to the NHS and the heroes working but....l

I have been diagnosed with Poly Myositis and needed images on both legs.

My condition is rare but the Radiographer seemed to have no idea of how it affects patients. No strength in the core muscles top of legs hips or top of arms.

She eventually picked my legs up onto the bed after I asked for help but in doing so I fell backwards which caused my neck to kick back without support. I felt vulnerable as she told me to “move down” on the bed again something difficult with no strength.

She gave me headphones but did not communicate with me during the scan until the end telling me I had 6 minutes left and I was doing well.

As I was extremely nervous which she was told she gave no reassurance to me and I was crying as I laid there. I had suffered a panic attack previously in the scanner.

After the “ordeal” was finished she did not attempt to assist me to get off the bed again until I asked for help and from that..l I was told the entrance was “over there” and as I could not put my shoes on by myself there was no attempt to help me. No one supported me up the corridor back to the waiting room or checked that I was safe as I was shaking and upset.

The fact of having this scan is traumatic enough but surely staff should be aware of certain conditions that may need them to help more sympathetically and support patients. Also to put patients more at ease ?

I am grateful for this lady working during the pandemic and have utmost praise for all NHS staff. I realise it could be skeleton staff in the department but I am just feeding back that certain conditions need more assistance rather than the unsympathetic person I encountered.

If I return I will make my needs clearer and if I am unhappy I won’t be returning to Southmead and will choose a different hospital.

I will also be feeding back to my consultant in Rheumatology.

It has upset and hurt me (when the website states I would be SUPPORTED during the scan.)

A pleasant lady took details as I first went in but she was not around as I came out?

Maybe it was not the Radiographer’s job description to give more care but in the absence of a nurse she could have assisted me asked if I was ok as I staggered out with my shoes untied and could have fallen.