"Assistants to the Gynecologists"

I was seen by an extremely caring, understanding and attentive female Gynecologist who after asking the relevant questions asked me if it was OK for her to carry out a physical examination. As I had no objection, she informed me that she would call upon one of the assistants and that I could undress from the waist down in the enclosed area behind the curtain in the consulting room.

Once I was ready a member of staff wandered into the enclosed area. Never said hello let alone had the courtesy to say what she was there for. I was struggling with the pillow and a rather odd elasticated sheet which I had no idea if it was to go over the couch or whether it was to cover my lower parts. I asked her what the "curled up cloth" was for and she shrugged her shoulders. It was apparent that the Gynecologist had not been advised by this member of staff that I was ready, as she stood there picking her finger nails and then abruptly left the enclosure in an impatient demeanour.

The Gynecologist came into the enclosure, explained the process of the examination and proceeded to carry out the examination. In the meantime the female stood silent behind the Gynecologist. Once the examination was concluded and the findings were explained to me the Gynecologist stated that I could get dressed again and once ready, to come out for her to explain the outcome of the whole examination and assessment. As I was struggling to get up from the couch due to severe pain in my pelvis, the assistant had no courtesy to ask if I needed a hand. She simply clutched a handful of tissues and asked me to clean the gel off my skin and went out of the enclosure.

I eventually managed to sat up, cleaned the gel and got dressed. In the meantime I also folded and cleared the stained paper that was over the couch but could not see where to dispose of it. The assistant had vanished, presumably leaving room and hopefully not expecting the Gynecologist to dispose of the dirty paper pad I had rolled into a ball.

In future, Ninewells Hospital can you please train these assistants in basic hygiene and personal appearance when working in the hospital. Thereafter, please train them to be polite to patients and professionals and request that they present themselves in a professional manner.

From my perspective, as the patient, I felt that this assistant was neither polite nor caring in her approach. Her unkempt appearance, lack of manners and approach to the job was a disappointing (thankfully only short lived) experience, one that Ninewells Hospital needs to address.

As for the Gynecologist, I think she was the most thorough, focused, clear, empathetic, and gentle professional anyone one can ever wish for.