"Appalling"

I visited the sexual health clinic at burmantofts health centre on 15/02/18. I was seen within 10 minutes which i thought was excellent considering it is just a walk in service. When i stepped into the consultation room, there was a man sat at the desk and a woman stood up sorting some papers. Neither introduced themselves. The woman asked me how they can help, and just as i was about to start talking, another 2 random staff members walked in and started asking questions to the 2 already in the room. So i was stood in the middle of a tiny room surrounded by staff who had absolutely no appreciattion for the fact a patient was trying to go through an incredibly personal consultation. The woman told me not to worry as they were staff - i don't care who they are, I don't want people walking in when I'm about to talk about intimate health issues.

Eventually those 2 left the room and i was able to explain why i was there. The woman didn't make me feel relaxed or secure at all, and she asked questions in a flippant manner.

I was told it was emergencies only, and given a list of reasons why (short staffed, half-term etc) in a passive aggressive tone. It's fair enough if it is emergencies only that day, but a sign stating this in the waiting area would have been helpful, and i don't see how it could have been that busy when I walked in and was the first person to be seen.

I was given advice about where to go but and left feeling like i'd completely wasted my time. I felt incredibly nervous going there in the first place, the whole thing only lasted a few minutes but I left feeling completely embarassed and pretty upset. I work in the NHS so i know how much strain there can be on the service. But the staff i encountered need a serious lesson in manners and patient dignity. Those qualities should be a given, regardless of how busy you are.