"COMPLETE LACK OF DIGNITY – SO UPSETTING THAT I..."

I have claustrophobia and phoned UCH in advance to check I could bring a chaperone when I had my MRI. I also spoke to the supervisor on the day to check my chaperone could come into the first room. Additionally, there are signs all over the wall stating that patients can speak to a doctor or nurse if they wish to bring someone with them. The radiographer summoned me to the room and barked at my chaperone that he couldn’t come in with me. She continued to be aggressive and hostile when I tried to explain that I had been told it was OK to bring someone because I was claustrophobic.

She treated both myself and my chaperone with absolute contempt and made the whole experience incredibly stressful. So much so that I left in tears without having my scan. I phoned the imaging department on the following day to explain what had happened but they seemed less than interested. I have tried to get a scan rebooked but it impossible to get through to the department by phone. I have walked into the hospital but no-one has helped. I have tried calling PALS but they NEVER call back.

No I'm stuck in medical no-man's land. I need to have a scan before I can have the surgery I need. I need to make an appointment to organise the scan. No-one in the hospital seems to know how I can do this. I am in a lot of pain and in need to surgery but the hospital has let me down badly.