"Distressing experience "

Dear Practice Manager

I attended for my first antenatal appointment on Thursday 12.08.2021. I have longstanding atypical medical conditions including neurological systems, visual snow & hearing concerns. I am medically exempt from wearing a mask. I have a lanyard and when I attend Walsall Manor Hospital this is respected.

Despite this, when I entered the surgery on Thursday the receptionist presented me with an ultimatum that it is mandatory to wear a mask or i will not be seen. I attended with my mother ( I called the surgeon the day before to clarify that my birthing partner could attend). I explained that I am exempt and she said dismissed this.

It was further demoralising by the fact that two other patients were in the surgery, sat in the chairs to the left of the reception desk in earshot of my personal details & the whole conversation.

I felt I had no other option but to wear a mask for the duration. It was a very distressing & undermining experience & inconsistent with the medical exemption.

Is it not guidance & best practice to wear a mask but medical exemptions & individual must be respected.

More must also be done to safely share personal details/observe GDPR even in social distance measures. Confirming personal details in front of other patients is not acceptable.

The whole experience has made me consider leaving the practice & looking for alternative antenatal care. The two ladies who completed the antenatal appointment were polite. It is healthy if the frequency of antenatal appointments are clearly and routinely explained & included in writing/badger app. The experience prior to entering the antenatal room was extremely unpleasant, inhuman & unsatisfactory. It sets a very unpleasant tone for future encounters & not the sort of stress a pregnant mother should be subject too.