I have had an ovarian cyst for c10 years, which has been monitored on and off by gynaecological teams in Glasgow and Edinburgh. A year ago I went to my GP complaining of severe abdominal pain, which was preventing me from sleeping. He referred me for a scan.
The scan took 5 months to arrange, and when I attended Stobhill hospital for the scan, I was anxious (as you would be - it's an unpleasant procedure), and was upset to find that the staff were very brusque. In particular, they were annoyed at me for not having a full bladder (despite me having followed the instructions on my appointment letter very carefully). I asked to wait for ten more minutes in the waiting room, during which time a member of staff said, loud enough for me to hear, suppose if people can't follow the instructions... I guess they will have to go and do some paperwork if I was not ready, which I thought was unnecessarily aggressive.
Post-scan my GP recommended removal of the cyst, and ordered a referral to a gynecological consultant. This took 6 further months. I attended this appointment at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where I was told that due to the time elapsing between scan and consultation, I now needed another scan before they could discuss removal. My attempts to ask questions were brushed off. I said that in 10 years the cyst had only grown 2 millimeters, so it was unlikely to have changed much in the 6 months since my last scan. I was sent away to await a further appointment. It seems to me that this appointment was a waste of half a day of my time, and of NHS resources.
The QEUH was a nightmare, with staff clearly hassled and rushed off their feet. For a new hospital, the fittings were worn and the place looked grubby. There was black condensation grime all around the window in the consulting room, and the place was freezing and heated by small electrical heaters - it must be an unpleasant place to work.
I hate complaining about the NHS because I am so grateful for it, but this experience has left me really anxious, and I feel at every stage I've not been listened to (except by my GP, who has been fabulous).
"Gynecology experience"
About: New Stobhill Hospital / Gynaecology Clinic New Stobhill Hospital Gynaecology Clinic G21 3UW NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow / Gynaecology (Ward 49) Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow Gynaecology (Ward 49) Glasgow G51 4TF
Posted by Esm sandy (as ),
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