"Family Planning Clinic"

As a healthcare shift worker within the NHS, I omitted an appointment for the Depot Primovera. Upon realising this was due I rang my GP to make an appointment to be told I had actually needed this a week earlier and there were no appointments available. I attended Orchard Centre walk-in clinic following GP referral. I attended the clinic in the morning only to be told that the web page was outdated and I would need to return in the afternoon.

Upon my return I was called by a nurse. They did not introduce herself. They was wearing an item of clothing which was non-uniform and was not bare below the elbows. The nurse was very abrupt and rude. I explained I had thought I was due the injection later than I was and that the GP surgery does not give appointments in advance for these or give any sort of reminder card of when the next injection would be due. Also, in the midst of full time shift work, I had omitted this. They said this was not a good enough excuse and that I should not mess about with contraceptives. They were reluctant to give the injection, I explained I was referred there by my GP who said I would require a pregnancy test before administration of the injection.

They rang my GP to confirm whilst gesturing for me to put the blood pressure cuff on my arm - I think this was very ignorant and not effectively seeking informed consent. I was then weighed and my height measured, at which point they proceeded to say I was underweight and ought to be careful as I wouldn't be able to get the contraception if I lost any more weight. On questioning, I discovered my BMI was 19, within the healthy range (18-24) for my height and weight, I challenged this and they did not agree. They proceeded to comment that I need some meat on my bones"and should be concerned about my bones at this weight.

They did not provide a pregnancy test despite the GP stating that this was policy to do so. I also challenged this and was not given an evidence-based response. I was nervous attending this clinic having never been there before, or to any similar clinics and had never taken a pregnancy test prior to this. The nurse did not ease my nerves at all, and I think they were very judgemental. Unfriendly, unhelpful and unacceptable - from one medical professional to another! Anything but professional. I left extremely upset and distressed following the way I was treated. I have no desire to ever have the misfortune of having this nurse provide care for me again. I initiated a complaint at the reception following this and was met with further rudeness and unhelpfulness in defense.