I attended the breast care centre following a referral from gp. 10/10 for a prompt appointment. I arrived a nervous wreck to a packed reception desk. After several minutes was abruptly told to take a seat. I waited for approx 45 mins to be met by a leading consultant, with a handshake and smile. That's where the friendliness ends unfortunately. I was asked a few brief medical history questions and told to go and take my top off while he found a nurse. I was told to lie down, examined in about 10 seconds, and every time I tried to tell him where I was having a problem, I was rudely overtalked. I was not examined for change of shape of breast, or examined while sitting or standing (part of the protocol i believe). While I was getting dressed my husband tried to tell him that he was the first to notice obvious changes to my breast, and the consultant did'nt even look up from his paperwork, and muttered, and I quote " well we are giving her a mammogram arn't we, so not a problem". I was told to go back to the waiting room. After another 30 minutes I was called in for a mammogram. The lady couldn't have raised a smile if she tried. Again back to the waiting room. Another half hour and the consultant called me in again. He continued writing notes while telling me the Mammo looked ok. All he said was "these things happen sometimes, and I could always come back if the problem persists" . He handed me a form and said goodbye. I left the department in a worse state than when I arrived, I was angry at being treated like a piece of meat, my fears were not resolved and he didn't bother to ask me that either!. I got as far as the carpark and cried. My husband was just as angry, and was shocked that women are being treated this way. I am now considering going private, even though I can't afford it, as I am totally unsatisfied that my problem is resolved. I will not be going private in Bristol, as this guy seems to be at most well known private facilities, and I wouldn't give him the pleasure of my hard earned cash!
"Human cattle market"
About: Southmead Hospital Southmead Hospital Bristol BS10 5NB
Posted via nhs.uk
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