On arrival for my scheduled mobile breast screening appointment, I was asked to remove my bra and take a seat in the waiting area. Stupidly I complied and sat with another patient having removed my bra containing my prosthesis. Although the waiting time was short (1min) it left me feeling very uncomfortable, especially having spent the last 14yrs wearing a prosthesis daily to disguise the fact that I have had a mastectomy. I was asked into the radiography suite and then asked a series of question, it shortly became obvious that none of my previous history was known to the staff member. Midway through the questions, it was suggested that I didn't want to be there. I answered that I had been made to feel very uncomfortable on arrival, having to sit with a complete stranger, not wearing my prosthesis. At this point I left the suite and retrieved my bra and prosthesis, although I was asked to leave it in the cubicle. I then was asked to remove my t-shirt and the discussion resumed. I felt that the staff's answers were very defensive and in no way apologetic to the point that she said, do I expect to be greeted at the door with the question –Have you had a mastectomy?
In my opinion, this is no way to treat any patient, having had cancer or not, their people skills were dreadful. It was explained that there is no laundry facilities and therefore no robes can be given out to patients, surely there is a better system? All in all I left the van feeling very upset and angry not what I have come to expect of NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
"I left the van feeling very upset and angry"
About: NHS Ayrshire & Arran / South West Scotland Breast Screening Centre NHS Ayrshire & Arran South West Scotland Breast Screening Centre Irvine KA12 8SS
Posted by salhm (as ),
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