"Terrible Experience"

I attended today for a routine Genealogical procedure, my appointment was for 10: 30, I was eventually called at 11: 45 with no explanation or apology for the delay (there was no details of any delay on the notice board as in other departments), the HCA who called me did introduce herself and I was shown the room to enter only to be interrupted by another male doctor, I waited outside with a medical student then was ushered into the room, not by words but by hand gestures by the male Dr, the male Dr and medical student then joined my appointment with the Consultant without asking consent, after a brief consultation I was moved to a changing room to get into a gown, in the middle of changing I had a knock on the door, after a hurried change of attire I answered the door to see a student nurse (who didn't introduce herself) stating I needed to produce a urine sample for a pregnancy test. 

Sample done I was shown into the next room, as I sat in the examination chair I was informed by the HCA about the position I would be put in and what the procedure entailed, I was asked to lift my gown to my waist, the HCA continued to talk to me whilst manoeuvring the chair which I appreciated and a light was positioned at my vagina, there was a curtain around the door for privacy however before I knew it there was the male Dr, medical student, HCA, Staff Nurse and student nurse all in the room, I felt embarrassed and tried to cover myself with the gown, at that point the HCA asked the student nurse to get a sheet, as the sheet was being put over my lower body the HCA stated "we like to preserve dignity" I was very anxious about the procedure and may have been sarcastic in my response but I replied "what with all these people in the room" it was only at this point that I was asked by the HCA if I felt uncomfortable with the amount of people in the room and if I would feel more comfortable if some people left, again my anxiety gave a sarcastic response "bit late now", I was left in the elevated examination chair with my legs wide open (although now covered) with everyone talking amongst themselves and then the staff nurse started to joke shall we do the countdown from 10 to see if (the Consultant) comes in.

Once the Consultant came in the procedure commenced, it wasn't pleasant and was extremely uncomfortable but I understood it was necessary, the Consultant did explain what was happening and asked me questions although it was difficult to hear her because the one doctor was constantly talking to the medical student, despite the procedure being uncomfortable and painful I cannot fault the Consultant in the process and it was a successful procedure, however I'm a 48yr old woman and she constantly referred to me (from what I could hear) as a "good girl".

The HCA was amazing, she kept me informed all the way and even when it was suggested I needed extra pain relief it was the HCA who explained how it would be administered and asked if I had any allergies, she did everything she could to keep me calm through a difficult procedure. Once it was complete the Consultant left the room, only addressing the male Dr stating "you do documentation, this patient is discharged"

I am actually a qualified nurse (working for a different Trust) and currently manage a Patient and Carer Experience team, I am really horrified by my experience, my appointment was understandably delayed by about a year because of the pandemic, which I accept, but to go through an anxiety provoking procedure which I knew would be difficult, then have to wait 1 1/4 hours to be seen, no explanation or apology, then to have an intimate procedure with both a male and 2 students in the room without asking consent was seriously disturbing (I understand students need to learn but it would have been nice to have been asked / informed beforehand) then unable to hear the Consultants words because of all the other conversations in the room, to be addressed as a "girl" then to hear I had been discharged because I heard the Consultants remark to the male Dr was really disturbing.

The HCA was amazing and I made a point of thanking her as I left, the staff nurse then spoke to me and told me to take over the counter medication if I needed pain relief, But she never told me her name. The whole experience was quite traumatic and I feel quite violated by the lack of respect and compassion from these health care workers, except for the HCA who was amazing, I'm just sorry I can't remember her name due to my experience