"Implant installation"

During the pandemic, I was on the covid list of patients to be contacted when clinic was back open for appointments as I wanted to have an implant fitted. 12 months passed, I didn’t hear nothing. As things finally seemed to calm down, I called the clinic to chase and was told that all patients had been called which I was not. anyway, I tried to book an appointment but was told to call back in 2 wks time on a Friday as thats when appointments were released and no appointments were available for me at the time of my call. I must have done this about 4x before eventually getting an appointment for today..

After going through a termination 8 wks ago that i hugely regret, I am even more so eager to get back on the implant id been on previously.

I finally had an appointment for today. Relieved and could not wait for this appointment to come any sooner as id waited long enough. When I got there the nurse called me in, I told them my name etc and what I was there for and before even giving any info on my current meds, I think this person had already made the decision that they were not going to fit my implant. They then went on to say how they needed to consult with a Dr about my current meds who was not present at the time of appointment in clinic.. how inconvenient. After explaining how long id been waiting already and what I had already gone through with a termination this person knew from my tone of voice how desperate I was to have it fitted..

I gave them my dates from my tracker on my phone of my last period since my termination and they rudely accused me of being on my phone to talk to someone instead of talking to the nurse, because phones are not allowed in this room. I explained that I was getting my period info from my app on my phone but this attitude and customer service just stank. They suggested in me doing a pregnancy test and refused to fit my implant because of my meds so what would the preg test do? Whether I was preg or not, I am certain this nurse had already made their mind up about not giving it to me.

They kept changing what they said they could do for me but none of it made any sense. I was diagnosed with fibroids 4 yrs ago and since had scans to witness that I no longer have them but this nurse was focusing on that and now using this as an excuse not to fit my implant. Then they went on to suggest to come back tomorrow to consult with the dr about my meds and said he may fit it if he approves but then suggested giving me the pill for 3 wks so I said if I am not acceptable for the implant because of my meds then how can I start the pill without the dr consulting me? They all work in similar ways? either way whatever was suggested it just seemed like everything apart from the only thing I went there for.. an implant!!

The nurse kept leaving the room to go and consult another nurse then came back, said no definitely need dr to approve and was scrolling up and down the page on the pc for a good 5 minutes repeating themselves while suggesting all these things they had mentioned. They left the room again, I must have waited a further 15 mins before deciding to get up and walkout. I told the receptionist to tell the nurse not to bother.

If the truths known, I just don't think this person knew what to do or say with me. I understand they may not have felt comfortable fitting my implant with me being on my meds and wanted some reassurance or a second opinion before hand, with not wanting to put me at risk or their job, but I was sat in that consultation room for over an hr and didnt come away with anymore info or what I went in for! It could be that the implant isnt the safest method of contraception for me and that it was safest not to fit it but what a waste of an appointment, my time and the nurse's time! Why didn't they just cut it short and book me in for an apt with the dr for his next availability slot? They said countless amount of times that they couldn't & wasnt going to fit it. I wouldn't have been overly thrilled but Id not have wasted my time sat in a room whilst this nurse went off consulting different people in the building regarding my situation.

My partner was waiting in the car for me as no car park is available at the clinic for patients so he took me there to wait in the car which meant he also booked time off work all for nothing ! I don't understand how they were so unsure of my meds when id been assessed with the nurses with having to attend there not long ago for my abortion and was accepted for the termination pill. Like I say, I understand this nurse obviously didn't feel confident fitting my implant but the way they went about it has just left a real shameful and bitter experience on your organisation that will mark me for a while.

Why wasn’t I called before my appointment to discuss my medication if it was such a big no no? Id only been at the clinic 8 wks prior for having an abortion so they had all my records with my meds on. Now I have to chase my GP & see if she will fit it for me! Even though she gave me the go ahead and said it was safe for the nurse to anyway!!