First of I agree with you, and would like to add that it can be a terrifying experience that leaves you feeling like dirt.
The womens clinics are hard hearted and if you are not Arabic you may get shouted out, pushed and miss your slot because someone who is more experienced at pushing gets there first. I left the pharmacy recently with bruises on my arm from the Phillipina woman behind me in the queue shoving me out of the way. I have not gone back to get my px, can't face it.
I was a staff nurse in the UK and have been a Sister of 2 OPDs there. I also did a lot of research for my MSc on "The Patient Journey" both in OPD and ED.
Communication is a problem but in my opinion it is more connected to perception. For example, if i smile and look confident when dealing with the women admin, they help me and show me what to do. On my first visit, I was in tears, lost and scared and was told to go home and come back with my husband, why you so sad, God decides if you have cancer or not.
I was told by the doctor on my first visit that I probably did have cancer, not having children when 33 was against God and he will punish me. She was both mentally and phisically aggressive. I was terrified and felt filthy. Since then i have been many times and been treated with the utmost resect, she was a one off and if I had complained about her formally, they assure me that she would have been dealt with.
I would never attend the OPD alone, I always take a feisty friend who is preared to push people back who assault me.
If you know what to expect fine. I would imagine though that those labourers come out of there either having not been seen at all or possibly been unable to communicate their symptoms through fear and not being listened to. The best thing is to send a nurse who speaks Arabic to act as their advocate in my opinion.
Lastly, I want to say that HMC is a top class organisation and I am grateful for the clinical excellence, I just wish i could run the OPD!!
First of I agree with you, and would like to add that it can be a terrifying experience that leaves you feeling like dirt.
The womens clinics are hard hearted and if you are not Arabic you may get shouted out, pushed and miss your slot because someone who is more experienced at pushing gets there first. I left the pharmacy recently with bruises on my arm from the Phillipina woman behind me in the queue shoving me out of the way. I have not gone back to get my px, can't face it.
I was a staff nurse in the UK and have been a Sister of 2 OPDs there. I also did a lot of research for my MSc on "The Patient Journey" both in OPD and ED.
Communication is a problem but in my opinion it is more connected to perception. For example, if i smile and look confident when dealing with the women admin, they help me and show me what to do. On my first visit, I was in tears, lost and scared and was told to go home and come back with my husband, why you so sad, God decides if you have cancer or not.
I was told by the doctor on my first visit that I probably did have cancer, not having children when 33 was against God and he will punish me. She was both mentally and phisically aggressive. I was terrified and felt filthy. Since then i have been many times and been treated with the utmost resect, she was a one off and if I had complained about her formally, they assure me that she would have been dealt with.
I would never attend the OPD alone, I always take a feisty friend who is preared to push people back who assault me.
If you know what to expect fine. I would imagine though that those labourers come out of there either having not been seen at all or possibly been unable to communicate their symptoms through fear and not being listened to. The best thing is to send a nurse who speaks Arabic to act as their advocate in my opinion.
Lastly, I want to say that HMC is a top class organisation and I am grateful for the clinical excellence, I just wish i could run the OPD!!