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Upsetting experience at gynaecology outpatients

Posted By elephantfc94

"Upsetting experience at gynaecology outpatients"

About: Lincoln County Hospital / Gynaecology

(as a service user),

I was due a gynae appointment to check out a few things following my smear. The previous day I had started my period - I obviously rang to see if I was still allowed to attend. The receptionist told me that of course I could, they would be able to clean the area to do what they needed to do.

When I got there the consultant asked me why I was there and I explained that from my smear I was referred so that a consultant could take a closer look. The consultant said (rather abruptly) that the referral came from my GP. I said I wasn’t sure what had happened with that as the last appointment I had was with my nurse doing my smear (not at the GP surgery).

We discussed a bit about how it was suspected that my cervix was an abnormal shape and then asked when my last period was. I said that I was currently on it and the consultant became slightly panicky and said that he would be unable to do the examination.

I explained that I had rung before coming to check that it was okay and I was told it was absolutely fine and to still attend. One of the nurses asked if we could just try flushing out and attempting to which the consultant said no definitely not. I got rather upset out of frustration for having wasted my whole morning coming to the hospital for no answers.

The consultant just kept talking over me saying my smear came back HPV negative and I am healthy, but it didn’t stop me from being disappointed and I felt that he was trying to reassure me but was shouting and I felt like I was causing such a fuss. I am not angry at the consultant as he followed the procedure but I just wish the communication would have been consistent so that I didn’t waste my whole morning (my only day off of the school holidays).

I also think it could have been clearer where I was meant to go for my outpatients appointment. I went to the main outpatients part of the hospital to be told that I would have to get down the road to the maternity building in the space of 4 minutes.

I would however like to praise the nurses with me during this time as they could see I was very anxious and going into panic. They took me to one side, brought me tea and a biscuit and told me to take as long as I need to feel calm. 

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Responses

Response from Ellen Ewer, Cervical Screening Provider Lead & Trust Lead Nurse Colposcopy, Hemswell Clinics, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust 2 years ago
Ellen Ewer
Cervical Screening Provider Lead & Trust Lead Nurse Colposcopy, Hemswell Clinics,
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Submitted on 03/03/2022 at 14:14
Published on Care Opinion at 14:14

Dear elephantfc94,

I am so sorry you had an upsetting experience at your gynaecology appointment. Thank you for your comments, they are very useful in helping us improve our communication and care.

I apologise you were advised to still attend your appointment, our usual colposcopists will still see women who are menstruating and that is why you were advised to attend. Unfortunately the Locum Consultant covering the clinic does not see women who are menstruating but we were not aware of this prior to your appointment. I sincerely apologise. Thank you for bringing this to light.The administration staff have been made aware to check who is carrying out the clinic and ask them prior to advising women attending the clinic in future.

I am sorry you felt your time was wasted and were disappointed at the outcome of the appointment. Your frustration is understandable, having not been advised of the specific reason for your referral, and not being reassured by examination. I am extremely sorry you found the Consultant abrupt, talking over you and felt that he was shouting when he was trying to reassure you that your cervical screening test was HPV Negative. I will feed this back to the Consultant.

I am unsure if you were sent a colposcopy leaflet with your appointment. The leaflet states exactly where to come for your appointment. This isn't always possible if you were contacted with your appointment by phone but the secretaries would usually then you the information via the phone. I am unsure why you didn't receive this information and will investigate further.

I am so pleased you felt well cared for by the nursing staff and your kind comments will be fed back to the nursing team.

Thank you once again for your comments. They have raised valid issues to address. I hope your next appointment goes well and you have a much better experience of our services.

Regards,

Ellen Ewer

CSPL & Trust Lead Nurse Colposcopy

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