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Sexual Health Clinic

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"Sexual Health Clinic"

About: Russells Hall Hospital

The reception staff are friendly but the doctors and some of the nurses are a bit abrupt. My understanding of the Gum clinic is that it treats all aspects of sexual health. This doesn't seem to be the case, as the doctors seem to suggest it is for the treatment of STD's only. After suffering all easter weekend with a bladder infection I decided it would be quicker to go there than try and get in at the doctors. The doctor made me feel a bit like I shouldn't have gone with something as trivial as a bladder infection, but back tracked when I pointed out it was genito- urinary medicine after all. My hubby had previously had a course of Hep B vaccines at the clinic to do with his job. He enquired how often he would need a booster (was previously told 5 years.) The reception staff said he should get his levels checked. The doctor basically told him he should have gone through occupational health at work. The nurse however couldn't have been nicer. I also had experience with the clinic back in 2011 where a rare candida was detected. The staff were lovely then.The treatment involved referral to another hospital for treatment. I wanted to get re-checked for this, as it had been 2years since last check, but was told I should have gone back to Heartlands. Its miles away and as it was picked up at russells hall in the first place it shouldn't have been an issue to re-test for it, but I was made to feel like it was. I also thought the doctors would have been more clued up about this rare candida but it was clear the doctor knew nothing about it or how it is treated, should it occur. The positive thing I would say is if it wasn't for the GU clinic, it wouldn't have been found at all and I had suffered for 10 years previous. The negatives are that if the doctors aren't better informed about it, other people could suffer or receive incorrect treatment for it. ( It was an "azole" resistant strain) but the doctor today questioned why it wouldn't have been treated with itraconazole. Felt like I knew more than her. I understand this may be an embarrassing post for some but don't know who to write my concerns to!

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Responses

Response from Russells Hall Hospital 9 years ago
Russells Hall Hospital

Submitted on 11/06/2014 at 18:08
Published on nhs.uk on 15/06/2014 at 04:01

Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your experience of our GUM clinic. We aim to provide the very best possible care for our patients and we are so sorry we did not achieve this during your visit. GPs do usually treat bladder infections and although our GUM clinic deals mainly with sexual transmitted infections, patients are welcome to attend with any type of genito urinary problem. We must apologise if one of our doctors made you feel that you should not have used the GUM clinic for this reason. We sometimes refer patients to neighbouring hospitals for specialist treatment, especially in the management or treatment of rare or obscure conditions. It would be appropriate, however, for a subsequent follow-up check to be completed at your local or most convenient clinic and so we are sorry you have been misinformed. Patients who need to be routinely vaccinated against hepatitis B because of their work usually receive their vaccines from their organisation’s occupational health department or their GP’s surgery. However, in specific circumstances where patients meet certain criteria, for example, if a vaccine is needed urgently because of a needle stick injury or similar, vaccines can be given at a GUM clinic. It is normal procedure for patients to then be given an appointment to return for a 12 month follow-up blood test to check immunity levels. After this follow-up appointment, if it is decided that a person needs to be routinely checked and vaccinated, it will become the responsibility of their organisation’s occupational health department to do this. Without knowing the exact nature of your partner’s situation it is difficult to know whether he would be expected to go through his occupational health department. If you or your partner have any further concerns or would like to discuss your treatment in more detail, please contact Jo Millichip, lead nurse for genito urinary medicine, on 01384 456111 extension 3909. Jo will be happy to discuss your any queries or concerns you may have.

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