"GUM clinic"

Anything else?

I went to the clinic for a check up after being recommended by my Dr as i'd started taking the pill and have a few concerns about how it went. Having had check ups before at a different clinic i was not worried beforehand, but left feeling quite uncomfortable and uncertain. The Dr that called me in asked me a series of questions which was fine although i found her slightly intimidating. She then told me she was going to do an examination and lead me through to a room with a nurse. The nurse was much friendlier and explained to me what i needed to do, i therefore assumed she would be doing the examination, but at the last moment the Dr pulled back the curtain and came round to do the examination. I appreciate that it's not going to be a fun experience, but i felt that she was quite rough and failed to explain to me what she was doing, and from the uncomfortable position i was put in i could not see her which made the experience all the more intimidating. After having left the clinic i felt uncomfortable about the experience and decided to double check what i had read on the website prior to my visit. This said that i'd have a blood test and self take swab and that i would be examined if there was a problem. It was only when i called up to find out what this problem was that i was told it that an examination was probably done because it was my first visit to the clinic, and only then was it explained why it was necessary to have two people present for the procedure and that i could have done a self take swab if i had preferred. My partner was given a choice about whether he wanted an examination or not on the day. I left the clinic feeling confused and in the dark, The lack of information and the insensitivity of the Dr who did the examination made the whole experience somewhat traumatic. I don't imagine this can be changed but i was confused as to why i had to get in such an awkward and uncomfortable position with my feet in stirrups, for such a simple examination, when this has never been asked of me before. In conclusion, while the nurse was friendly and helped to put me at ease, the Dr made no effort to build trust or make me aware of what was going on. I appreciate that they do this job every day but in such a sensitive situation i feel like it's necessary to make the patients feel at ease.