"Poorly treated by a poorly behaved Registrar."

What I liked

the support staff were very pleasant and efficient, and hour plus delays were posted on notice board to keep us informed, which was very helpful

What could be improved

The registrar who saw my partner could have behaved in a professional, and appropriate manner. The registrar my partner saw was fine until my partner pointed out she had concerns regarding the treatment suggested, and we mentioned that we would have to get a second opinion. He then became most unprofessional, and refused to answer a simple, reasonable question regarding my partners case.

I was personally most upset by this registrar's accusation that I was becoming irate/abusive, and had I not removed myself voluntarily, I feel this would have been used an an excuse to have us both removed, so he didnt have to deal with my partners concerns. I simply repeated my question, why would he not answer my partners reasonable question, and asked if he would be happy if his partner was left incapacitated by the 23 daily tablets she is having to take to cover up the pain of her condition. I do accept this was in a louder voice, but that was because I was ignored when I first asked.

The Consultant subsequently came to see my partner, and advised her that her care was subject to " An algorithm that cannot be deviated from " and if she refused the spinal injection offered, she would remain in pain, as no alternative to the treatment offered would be allowed. Is my partner a human being or a mathematical equation?

I believe our experience could have been improved by my partners care being individualised to her own specific needs, and that the registrar could have maintained a professional manner despite his authority being questioned by my partner raising her concerns. It is, after all, her body, and despite reasoned rationale to reinforce her reluctance to have this procedure, she feels she is being coerced by the threat that treatment will be withdrawn.

My partner left in tears. She is now in pain, and very stressed, and has no idea what will happen, or when her problems may be solved. I am also stressed, and shocked that we were both treated so shabbily.

Anything else?

My partner is suffering.The problem has accelerated markedly in the last 3 months. Our home life has been dramatically affected by my partners problems, when my partner is not working, she is taking several powerful drugs, and the side effects are leaving her semi concious. To enable her to drive and work she is not taking all of the medication prescribed during the day. As there seems to be a state of impasse with her Registrar and Consultant, and no end in sight to her problem, she will have to sign off work on long term sickness, as work is becoming unmanageable without the cocktail of drugs to manage her condition. It would be unfair to my partner's clients for her to treat them while under the influence of heavy opiates, and muscle relaxants. An oversight or error at work could prove fatal, as my partner is a Health Care Professional, a midwife employed by a local NHS Trust.

I will be contacting PALS, my local MP, and complaining in writing to the relevant NHS department/ombudsman to further expand on our poor treatment, and express our concerns.