"Patronising attitude of consultant in Redhill Walk-In-Centre"

I attended the Redhill Walk-In-Centre (GUM Clinic) today, as I was requiring emergency contraception.

Given that this situation was a somewhat sensitive and personal experience to me, I would have expected the staff to maintain a non-judgemental attitude at all times. However it was quite the opposite. The consultant who I met asked my age (22), and then continued to explain that I was a ''Big Girl Now', insinuating that I was too old to require such treatment, and rudely raised their eyebrows at me when I told them that I was in fact a nursing professional.

I left this unit feeling utterly disheartened. Healthcare professionals who are working in this area of care should maintain a supportive and sensitive approach to patient care, however in this case, my illness-experience was one which made me feel worse than I did before I even attended this unit.

I will not return here.