"preferred to look elsewhere for the service"

Cannot comment about the consultants themselves, however, I had found the administrative staff in the Gynaecology Department at St Mary's Hospital to be condescending, rude, unprofessional and unhelpful when trying to make an appointment to see a consultant. I was constantly given incorrect and conflicting information (which changed every few minutes during a conversation over the phone) about the availability of certain consultants and the deferential attitude of one or two of these staff was sickening to the stomach.

Moreover, if you try to make a complaint about the level of service, you are very likely to be victimized - there really is a very serious problem indeed in relation to poor staff attitudes and an "abusive" internal culture prevalent among administrative staff. I have felt talked down to you and even the felt that some staff were determined to make sure you did not see a consultant of your choice as soon as possible. With internal politics interfering with matters of patient choice which is very likely to permeate to senior staff within the Department.

Without having even seen a consultant at St Mary's, I am already persuaded over a short period of time to seek treatment elsewhere - this is a big shame because I am aware that there are some top gynaecologists who work at St Mary's who are unlikely to condone this level of service. However, women also need to feel assured that the environment within which any treatment takes place is also appropriate where patients are respected by all within the Department. Unfortunately, with this Department firmly stuck in the dark ages when it comes to patient service delivery, I have preferred to look elsewhere for the service which all patients fully deserve. It is clear that other hospitals do things a lot better than at St Mary's.