IWLTS it is 2023

[TracyA]

Oh Marth, I’m sorry ! I hope everything turns out ok. I was going to say I’ve always seen female doctors for such things , but I’ve actually had 3 colposcopys and they were all done by male doctors with females nurses in attendance ( always 2 nurses for some reason ).

That must have been hard for your Mum Margo .

[Morganna]

I'm sorry you went through that Marth, and hope it all goes well.

If it's any consolation. I had a mammogram yesterday (2 women) and it was awful. They couldn't get the picture right, so one was pushing and pulling me to get all the relevant tissue on the plate, whilst the other one shouted 'Breathe in!!' 'And out again!' 'RELAX!!', which was less than soothing. They kept stopping and starting, so in the end I told them to just do it until they got it right, instead of starting again each time. It seemed they were concerned that I might not consent to everything they were doing, so I told them to assume consent unless I shouted otherwise. FFS!

Your poor mum, Margo.

[Elya]

I would like to say "Go and do another job"
To the male breast cancer specialist esp but also to the male radiographer.
I felt 5 times as shit as I already felt this morning having to be examined by them both. Probably ten times as shit.
Fuck off and please let us have properly female centred intimate care.

I’m sorry lovely Marth. It really shouldn’t be too much to ask that such intimate care is provided by women.

[Smunder Woman]

Sorry, Marth. It really shouldn't be like that.

[FiveO'Clock]

My SIl is an OBGYN and is totally grossed out by men who would (now) choose this as their specialty - You have the right to be grossed out too and say so.

[Marth]

Thank you. I'm going to start asking for a woman before each appt. I know it's probably not possible to have that, but really these men should start to be phased out.

[Morganna]

They should. It’s not as though there aren’t plenty of other areas of specialism they could choose. The trouble is, they’d just have to say they are a woman anyway :verm:

I had a breast cancer scare years ago (about 12, I think), and was referred to the breast clinic at the hospital. Husbands/male supporters were not allowed past the general waiting room and all the staff were women. It was noticeable and made a huge difference. I wonder if it’s the same now.

[Lily]

It's not the same thing but I was astonished that, when my friend gave birth recently, husbands/partners were allowed to stay over in the ward. With all the other new mums. She was upset because they were snoring, etc - that was the least of her worries! How is this possible?!

[Marth]

They should. It’s not as though there aren’t plenty of other areas of specialism they could choose. The trouble is, they’d just have to say they are a woman anyway :verm:

I had a breast cancer scare years ago (about 12, I think), and was referred to the breast clinic at the hospital. Husbands/male supporters were not allowed past the general waiting room and all the staff were women. It was noticeable and made a huge difference. I wonder if it’s the same now.

It was the same here. (Apart from all the staff being women) I suppose so they don't accidently see someone in a state of undress.

[Estrella]

They should. It’s not as though there aren’t plenty of other areas of specialism they could choose. The trouble is, they’d just have to say they are a woman anyway :verm:

I had a breast cancer scare years ago (about 12, I think), and was referred to the breast clinic at the hospital. Husbands/male supporters were not allowed past the general waiting room and all the staff were women. It was noticeable and made a huge difference. I wonder if it’s the same now.

It’s the same at the breast clinic I go to. Which is also only staffed by female doctors and mammogram techs/ultrasound techs. My GP did say it was the “gold standard” of breast clinics when she referred me.

I’m sorry you had such an unpleasant experience, Marth.

[sally maclennane]

IWLTS: why can you not offer an online booking system?

I've just spent 20 minutes on hold to my GP practice, only to be told there are no face to face appointments for 2 weeks. Their best suggestion was that I phone in the morning to get an on the day appointment but that's not really practical with work. The doctors are lovely and actually so are the receptionists (mostly!) but they're so far behind the time with systems.

[Pippedydeadeye]

It’s the same at my surgery; on the day or not at all.

[Marth]

I spoke to a client today who if you have had an appointment within the last two weeks are not able to book another until a full 2 weeks have passed

[Flora Poste]

Ours is the same - it does my head in as quite often it will be for something routine and I am happy to wait for a couple of weeks - even more annoying for the kids as they leave for school before the bloody lines open so they will be late/ end up staying at home all day on the offchance I can get them an appointment that day.

[Topcat]

Its the same here as well. It makes it very tricky when it is The Child's appointment that I am trying to book.

[Annabella]

This is common in all GP practices now, I think

[Marth]

It's not in mine. We can use various methods to request an appointment in advance, and same day is only for urgent.

I know pre COVID and pre telephone appointments many doctors were doing the same day appt thing and there was a lot of criticism of it.

[Marth]

Thank you. I'm going to start asking for a woman before each appt. I know it's probably not possible to have that, but really these men should start to be phased out.

I've just requested a smear appt and the leaflet says to request a female practitioner, so I've done that.
I'm going to start asking for that at consultant level as well now for intimate examinations.
I was thinking if we don't ask, we won't get, and we will be deemed to be absolutely fine with men in such roles, and nothing will change.

[FiveO'Clock]

My SIL is an OBGYN and is very confrontational with men who are in these positions.

[Marth]

My SIL is an OBGYN and is very confrontational with men who are in these positions.

That's so good to hear that women in these roles support female only spaces.