"Colposcopy: Outstanding. Gynae: negative, but not..."

What I liked

Attended the Colposcopy Clinic this morning for hysteroscopy to insert an IUS for treatment of very long-ongoing excessively heavy and painful periods. After having had a disappointingly negative experience during my original Gynaecology referral a couple of months ago (with a junior doctor who had no empathy and was dismissive of my concerns, and made factual errors about our conversation and my history in his letter referring me on to the Colposcopy clinic), I was nervous and unsure of what to expect. What a difference!

All of the staff I dealt with in the Colposcopy clinic and "One Stop Shop" were wonderful - from the Receptionist who was helpful in explaining a delay in my being seen (no problem with that as was for completely acceptable reasons), to the nurses who were by turns informative, efficient, friendly and encouraging (I echo the previous comment about the hand-holding - it was a very welcome and helpful touch!), and the doctor who treated me and was brilliant - incrediby understanding, talked me through every step and answered my numerous questions patiently and openly. A uterine polyp was discovered during the initial exploratory process and, with my consent and again keeping me fully informed as to what was happening, was promptly removed with the minimum of fuss. This gentleman restored my faith in NHS doctors (although I will never return to the BWH Gynae Clinic after my experience there) - if all teams worked as well and had such a clear commitment to patient care as this one, nobody would ever complain about the NHS!

Thank you to all the staff who guided me through my procedure today - you are all absolute stars and a shining example of how truly exceptional the NHS can be when it works as it was intended!