Is it allowed to ask for a gender specific consultant? (NHS)

[-]

MegaSlayer882@reddit

Male med student here who’s recently been on a breast placement. Receptionist is talking out of their arse: you’re well within your right to request a female doctor, however in the event a female doctor isn’t available (unlikely in breast tbh!) this might delay your appointment. However, from experience the male doctors have been really nice and professional, and a female member of staff will usually be present as a chaperone to ensure that nothing untoward happens. But yes, not discrimination in the slightest to request a female doctor, especially for an intimate examination / procedure, and you certainly won’t be dropped as a patient.

[-]

InnocentaMN@reddit

I’ve never had a male clinician be unprofessional when doing an intimate procedure, but with having a lot of experience I’ve come to prefer female doctors / clinicians for certain categories of examination or test. There are others (even intimate ones on occasion) where the sex of the doctor makes absolutely no difference and it’s just about whether I feel I trust them personally, and in fact I’d rather have a male doctor I know than a stranger who is female.

So I guess there is quite a bit of nuance to it, and these things are extremely personal - but the bit that really shocked me in OP’s case is the demeanour towards her just for asking.

[-]

venusmiIk@reddit (OP)

Thanks for the input everyone. It felt extremely off putting for her to say my only other option was to dropped as a patient for such an important appointment. I’ll definitely call back and speak to someone else

[-]

InnocentaMN@reddit

I’m so sorry this happened to you, especially with a sensitive appointment like breast ultrasound. It is definitely acceptable to ask for a clinician of the same sex as yourself, and while it can sometimes delay care a bit (for example if a man wanted a male GP but all the GPs working that day happened to be female), this is actually a very common request in settings like… breast ultrasound, so it’s exceptionally weird and inappropriate that you were told this.

If you have the energy, I would definitely encourage you to make a complaint. You were treated as if you were doing something wrong when this is a totally normal and everyday thing to want - something many people (of both sexes) ask for regularly. I’ve had intimate procedures done by men and women, and I usually prefer to have a woman (as a woman myself), though under some circumstances / for some procedures I’m okay with having a man. Everyone should have the choice of same sex care and not be made to feel bad if requesting it.

[-]

Wibblejellytime@reddit

Please make a complaint.

[-]

Past-Interest-8593@reddit

Please speak to a manager. The receptionist not only misrepresented NHS protocols and UK law - they also threatened you with denial of treatment because you asked for a healthcare worker of your sex. That's outrageous.

In my experience whenever any kind of intimate examination is required, NHS will try to find a same sex worker to see you, and if this isn't possible, a chaperone will be found. This is to protect staff as much as you.

My GP surgery regularly hosts clinics for me run by male nurses. There was nothing unusual about your request.

[-]

seefroo@reddit

This might sound a bit over the top but I would be making a complaint to the practice manager as well. You were given incorrect information and rightly asked for advice on it, but there may be people who haven’t done this (and won’t do it in the future) and put off getting the medical help they need. This sort of thing, in my opinion, also leads to a spread of disinformation - other people who haven’t questioned this might tell their friends, who will all nod and say things like ‘political correctness gone mad’, then they tell their friends and all of a sudden it’s a Daily Mail article. The threat to drop you as a patient is even more worrying.

For the record I have requested a male doctor on one occasion (I am male) and this was accepted without question. I also once had an ultrasound on my testicles and I didn’t ask but they told me (unprompted) that I’d have a chaperone (although only one was doing the work downstairs).

[-]

CLH11@reddit

You are well within your rights to ask for a female but there may not be someone available so it may involve a longer wait or going to a different hospital.

[-]

a-liquid-sky@reddit

As far as I'm aware, it is. They should also offer you a female chaperone if they're unable to move you to a female consultant.

[-]

MysteriousHat3705@reddit

It's automatic in my case. I went to my NHS hospital's endocrinologist and he needed to check my back and upper chest (bra on) for skin mottling. He was male, there was a female junior doctor shadowing too and he brought in ANOTHER female nurse without my prompting

[-]

thpkht524@reddit

It is NOT automatic. The nhs does not have the luxury of resources to grant that. He did that to protect himself.

[-]

MysteriousHat3705@reddit

I meant automatic as in he just told me a nurse was coming in and I didn't request it

[-]

lucyloochi@reddit

Sad that it's necessary, but he's protecting himself

[-]

PrimeWolf101@reddit

Yes, most people don't consider it but the chaperone is actually there to protect the doctor as much as the patient.

Doctors will see many patients, t's extremely important for their safety that when performing intimate exams as part of their role they have evidence that they acted appropriately. Imagine a man who comes to A&E with a headache and then is told by the doctor he needs to do a prostate check. To that man it may well seem that this is completely inappropriate, but the doctor is aware that his symptoms indicate a potential issue and this is the necessary diagnostic test. So they need to have someone able to testify they followed recommended guidance and there was no 'funny business'.

[-]

MysteriousHat3705@reddit

Yep I really understand why. the male doctor told me he would bring in a female nurse whilst he was checking my skin and it was very low fuss. And that wasn't even for anything as intimate as what you've said.

Probably because the female junior doctor was watching what he was doing rather than focusing on chaperoning. Did feel a bit like a science experiment but always happy to allow juniors in my appointments.

For specialist appointments I don't think I would've had a choice in my doctor's gender but at your local GP I would expect you could.

[-]

Useful-Risk-4340@reddit

Makes sense. Whenever I've gone to the hospital there's been a woman present. I didn't ask for anyone, but she was called in. These were basic neurological exams which involved things like the male consultant whispering in my ear and being struck with a reflex hammer.

[-]

ThisIsSpata@reddit

I've been offered a chaperone even when the healthcare professional was female, for any intimate examination.

[-]

zviiper@reddit

As a male when I went to a male urologist he automatically had a chaperone come in for any examinations.

[-]

GFoxtrot@reddit

I believe it’s policy to have one because it also protects the male staff member from any accusations also.

[-]

QueenFreek@reddit

i'm pretty sure this wouldn't go against the gender discrimination act? I can't think of the wording but you can discriminate in certain circumstances basically. Plus you can definitely ask for a preferred practitioner, and they should allow you a female chaperone. I was offered a chaperone even with a female practitioner carrying out my ultrasound.

[-]

VerbingNoun413@reddit

It wouldn't since that act doesn't exist any more and the equality act only applies to organisations, not to individuals.

[-]

MarkCairns67@reddit

I went to the GP last week for a skin issue in my groin area. I asked for a male GP and got one. No one questioned that choice. The worst that might have happened is that I get a delayed appointment due to availability.

I think you should be fine, hopefully the NHS rules allow this kind of request, and I'm pretty sure they'll have female consultants as well.

[-]

PamVanDam@reddit

When I was in hospital having my cancer diagnosis they wanted to check breast etc as a just in case (I had blood cancer). I was ready to whip the ole top off for the male consultant as I didn’t care in that moment and wanted anyone qualified to check 🤣 but they said “no no; we will wait for a female to come in and do the exam”.

All that was to say , I didn’t even care who did mine as I just wanted checked and cleared … and they still gave me someone who was same sex. Surely OP’s GP practice can extend the same courtesy, especially when it’s something they’ve requested specially.

[-]

bacon_cake@reddit

I've had that with testicular exams a few times.

I also used to refuse chaperones and it wasn't until I'd had four or five that I thought maybe the female staff would actually prefer there to be a male chaperone.

[-]

StatementSea9410@reddit

I mean they could just lie and say you are booked in with a man when you aren't

I had my balls examined by a woman because they did this.

[-]

YoungGazz@reddit

They do and if none are available a chaperone of your chosen gender can attend.

[-]

reddit_recluse@reddit

asking for a female doctor isn't discrimination. asking for a male doctor is.

source: modern woke feminist culture

[-]

smellyfeet25@reddit

PEOPLE like that should not be allowed to use our nhs .

[-]

VerbingNoun413@reddit

!dick

[-]

peachesnplumsmf@reddit

I mean men could also ask for a male doctor?

[-]

Cautious-Extreme2839@reddit

You can ask, you may be told no.

[-]

gambola@reddit

My GP triage form asks if I want a specific doctor, and I think might ask about gender preference but I’m not sure. And my work health plan thing also asks this, so I would assume it’s not discrimination but I’m not sure how it works if you’re the one asking and not them. The receptionist doesn’t sound like she dealt with your request particularly sensitively though so regardless of if it was reasonable, if she really did speak to you like you’ve described then I’d consider complaining. But then doctors receptionists can be quite abrasive in general for some reason. Do you know if they actually have any female doctors? Perhaps they don’t and therefore wouldn’t be able to meet your request, I don’t see why they wouldn’t if they could.

[-]

Basic_Aardvark398@reddit

Of course you can ask. This is your care and your body. People have all sorts of traumas and would find examinations triggering from the opposite sex. This isn’t you discriminating against a gender, this is you asking for a female doctor for a personal examination. I would do the same for a smear test and wouldn’t be challenged on it.

If the highly unlikely event that there are no female doctors available (when has that ever happened?), they could then let you know this, but I don’t see why this would be your fault. When I worked in a hospital, there were so many patients not allowed male workers, not allowed only female workers etc, you borrow staff from other wards to make it work.

The receptionist was unhelpful, incorrect and rude. They are discriminating against you, the patient.

[-]

Etheria_system@reddit

You are absolutely allowed and she’s quoting legislation that doesn’t even exist. There is no “discrimination act”, it’s the equality act 2010. Ive asked for women only consultants plenty of times, especially for intimate procedures.

The only issue with it is that it can take longer for you to get an appointment so for very urgent care (eg life saving care, cancer treatment and examinations) they may encourage you to have a chaperone if you’re able to.

[-]

humanhedgehog@reddit

As a female doctor, if I'm doing any intimate examination, it's "and our nurse/HCA (name) will be chaperoning today". It's not optional (though it'd be a conversation if someone refused it) for the safety of myself and patients - I know I'm not going to do anything inappropriate, but I want you to know it's not even something on the radar, I want you to feel safe.

And why wouldn't I? We discuss chaperoning at the start of the day with the team so everyone knows it's expected so it doesn't cause delays.

[-]

Gullible_fool_99@reddit

There is no legal obligtaion on any NHS Trust to acquiesce to your request.

The following, as an example, is taken from Royal Berkshire NHS Trust:

"There is no statutory requirement for the NHS to provide a healthcare professional of a particular gender in any healthcare setting. Under the NHS Act 1990, we have a duty to provide a proper standard of care to all our patients. The Act does not state that care needs to be deliver care by a particular person of a particular gender"

[-]

No-Today-4575@reddit

Also from same document:

"While the Trust endeavours to make alternative

arrangements based on your request, it may not be possible to allocate a healthcare

professional of the required gender."

The bald words don't really convey the context and climate surrounding health care & the weight given to patient autonomy.

Basically what everyone else says, you can ask, it will be accommodated if at all possible- especially if intimate care-but may lead to delay. This is exactly what I have observed in my 36 year NHS experience, in every institution I have worked, apart from the early days when you got offered "what was good for you", patient preference be dammed.

[-]

Rough_And_Ready@reddit

NHS worker here. Yes it is allowed! You have a right to be seen by someone you feel comfortable with. We do this all the time in the service I work for. Sometimes, it may take a little longer to schedule an appointment if there are fewer consultants/clinicians of your preferred gender but they should absolutely accommodate that. If they only have male consultants then you'll be offered a female chaperone. Honestly, with the information you gave in your post, I would consider contacting PALS to complain. Her response was absolutely inappropriate.

[-]

mustardgoeswithitall@reddit

I've always asked for female doctors, never had a problem.

The one time I didn't ask, it turned out to be a man. Which was more than a little uncomfortable! But he had a female chaperone, and I know to ask in advance now 😅

[-]

FreeBogwoppits@reddit

OP, I'd suggest posting this r/NHS for (hopefully) useful answers.

[-]

frogsinsoup@reddit

That’s ridiculous? You’re allowed to ask to be seen by a member of staff that you’re comfortable with.

I’d call back and ask to talk to her manager, as she’s just one of those NHS receptionists who believe their shit is made of stars. You’ll see a lady for your appointment. And you’re 100% allowed to ask for that.

Idk why NHS Receptionists think they have such a huge amount of control

[-]

lodav22@reddit

I used to work as a bank person for a GP surgery and I had to attend the meetings they had about staff training. In one meeting the managing receptionist actually said that it was the receptionists job to “protect the doctors from the patients”, she wasn’t even joking. They were absolute bitches to work with and I was so miserable the whole time I worked there. I ended up going on maternity leave and when I came back in for my return to work interview I just felt this sense of dread as I walked into the office, I knew I couldn’t go through that again so my back to work interview turned into my resignation interview.

[-]

Illustrious-Eye1673@reddit

I belueve this is for a referral to a cinsultant, not simpky asking to see a female GP at her surgery.

[-]

No_Chemist2922@reddit

Yes you are allowed to ask.

Whether you get it or not is another question. Honestly people do it all the time.

[-]

MrCowabs@reddit

Yes, you can. Especially for things regarding intimate parts that you’d feel uncomfortable with a male doctor dealing with. Vice versa for men who are the same.

If she’s said that about dropping you as a patient then you need to speak to your practise manager and potentially PALS (iirc, I’m happy to be corrected on this by somebody With more knowledge).

[-]

CrowApprehensive204@reddit

Yes, you absolutely can and breast clinic radiology are usually staffed by females anyway. You would be better ringing before an appointment and speaking to the booking clerk, they can put a note on screen advising that you will only consent to be examined by a female clinician and they should email the clinic manager to check there will be a female doctor or specialist nurse available on the day. If not, you can either suck it up and keep the date you have or alter to a date when there are female staff available. From a purely personal point of view, I think you should accept either and I would truely love to be able to tell patients absolutely not, get off my phone go to your appointment and be grateful.

[-]

Iforgotmypassword126@reddit

Log a complaint. You are allowed. Muslim women only ever have female patients for religious reason so you can ask for the same.

[-]

LargeLetter1@reddit

You can absolutely ask for a female consultant. The receptionist is talking rubbish and you are entitled to complain.

I refused to have a male nurse in the room when having various intimate investigations. I’m too old to pretend I was comfortable with it.

Screenings etc get a low enough take up without women being pressured into situations they feel uncomfortable.

[-]

PabloMarmite@reddit

You can ask, and they’ll try to accommodate it, but they don’t have to if there isn’t one available.

[-]

petrichorpink@reddit

You can, but it might not be possible. I used to be a hospital receptionist and got shouted at a lot because medicine is still a pretty male dominated field and we couldn't honour the requests most of the time. We only had 1 female consultant who only did clinic once a week. This was in a department where all our patients were female as well, most of the consultants were men so there isnt much we can do.

But you can ask for a female staff member to come in as a chaperone as others have said. I've been a chaperone before even as an admin member of staff, but it could be a nurse.

If you decline and ask to have the appointment when a female doctor is available, it could be a long wait.

[-]

YouSayWotNow@reddit

The nurse is incorrect. A patient asking to see a same-gender doctor is not discriminatory and you are well within your rights to request it. And I think the NHS Trust that clinic falls under would not be impressed with the receptionist dropping you as a patient because of your request.

The one thing I would add is that it is better to make this request at the time of booking the appointment, so they can ensure a female doctor is working that day. Asking only when you arrive for the appointment makes it much more difficult for them to accommodate.

I would probably put in a complaint about the receptionist's behaviour as threatening to drop a patient for asking something very reasonable is not acceptable.

[-]

peppermint_aero@reddit

"under the discrimination act (which I looked up and couldn’t find anything specific about) I wasn’t allowed to ask for a specific gender consultant, she also said if I have a problem with that that they could drop me as a patient before I could say anything."

Not only is that legal horseshit (the discrimination act doesn't exist any more, it was superseded by the Equality Act 2010), you are absolutely allowed to ask for a female doctor as a genuine requirement. Threatening to drop you for requesting your rights is definitely illegal, as is threatening not to treat you for a defined medical need.

I don't think you should go in all guns blazing but you have the right to ask. Be aware it may take longer if you ask for a woman as of course it's a more limited sunset of the staff than "first person available".

[-]

OldManAndTheSea93@reddit

As a current NHS doctor, you can absolutely ask for a specific gender to see you and the Trust has an obligation to make a reasonable effort to do this. Obviously, this may mean that you need to wait longer for an appointment and, in some circumstances, it may not be possible.

I would suggest lodging a formal complaint against the receptionist as that behaviour is absolutely unacceptable. You should do this through the PALS service and tell them the date/time of the interaction (the name of the receptionist would be best not always possible).

[-]

Fatal-Eggs2024@reddit

Of course you can and should request a female doctor if you like. You do not have a right to a female doctor if one is not available.

Receptionists do the best they can but they are not legal experts. They can misconstrue something they heard in training or in a different context.

[-]

StatementSea9410@reddit

It is allowed and I would raise this with the management as you can't just make up laws to justify saying no.

I would query when you do hopefully raise a complaint/have a serious conversation with someone above the receptionist as to whether or not they were planning on offering you a chaperone as below. While I would think it would be logical to arrange this when making the booking, I cannot say for sure if this is the case or if they somehow always have someone available to act as a chaperone at the drop of a hat.

https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/the-professional-standards/intimate-examinations-and-chaperones/intimate-examinations-and-chaperones

Years ago I had my GP be silly about booking in a male doctor when I needed my testicle examined. I said I needed an appointment as soon as possible with a male doctor. Got given an appointment 2 weeks later, so called back and said it's urgent can I have something sooner. Got booked in that afternoon with the same doctor... who absolutely was NOT a man....

Personally I just wanted to get it over and done with, but I do wish I had said something in hindsight.

[-]

Full-Suggestion-1320@reddit

I went for a heart scan yesterday, I was asked in the letter prior to the scan I've I would like a female technician, I didn't care so it was a male but they automatically gave me a female chaperone. I was allowed to raid someone in with me as well.

I have had many breast ultrasounds, they are always done by a female at the breast clinic, male consultants are always chaperoned by a female nurse.

[-]

notalapcataboobcat@reddit

As lots of others have said, the NHS should make reasonable efforts to accommodate a request like yours. Having said that it may be that they have limited availability and it could mean a delay to being seen. I guess that would be up to you if your reason for requesting female only staff overrules the need to be seen quickly. And BTW if that is a need for you, for whatever reason, then that is valid.

I will just share my recent experience though, in case that is any help or reassurance.

I had a recent breast screening appointment and to be fair I didn't think about the gender of the consultant or the mammogram/ ultrasound techs before hand so I didn't ask.

Everyone I saw was a woman with the exception of the consultant who did the hands on examination. There was a chaperone for that part of the appointment. A female nurse. She was already in the room when I arrived and stayed for that whole part of the appointment. I didn't have to ask and it wasn't presented as optional. It seemed to be standard procedure.

If you arrive and there is no chaperone then absolutely ask for one. I am fairly certain that they should provide one automatically as I experienced. But if they don't I am sure they are required to provide one if you ask.

[-]

having_an_accident@reddit

I’d imagine that yes you have a right to request one, but please bear in mind it’s the NHS, so there’s got to be a bit of laxity

[-]

toady89@reddit

I don't think I've ever not been offered the choice even for less intimate things like knee pain. You're not employing the consultant yourself which is where it could be argued to be discriminatory, even then there would be a decent argument for only employing women if that's what the patients want.

[-]

PrimeWolf101@reddit

Yes, you have the right to request a GP of the same gender. The NHS is not under any obligation to provide one, if one is not available they are obligated to provide a chaperone of the same gender as you.

So they might agree to let you wait for when one is available, but it's important to note they don't have to do that. They will typically try to arrange more intimate exams with same gender clinicians anyway in my experience. You are still entitled to a chaperone in intimate exams if the doctor is already of the same gender, they won't be offended the chaperone is as much there to protect them against any claims of impropriety as they are there to protect you.

I would seriously consider making a complaint about this receptionist. This is completely inappropriate behaviour, threatening a patient inappropriatly, providing misleading information and creating a barrier to medical care for vulnerable patients. I would expect any such complaint to be taken seriously by the practices management.

[-]

TroublesomeFox@reddit

You ARE allowed to ask, dunno what that receptionist was on about and I'm sorry she treated you that way. It's perfectly valid to want a woman for medical treatment.

You can ask, but you can't insist on one. Most times they will try to find a female but if they don't have one available you'll end up with a man. Iirc most radiologist's are female anyway so you'll probably be fine.

[-]

NoSweater999@reddit

When I unfortunately found a lump (which ended up being testicular cancer) I initially booked an appointment with my GP and requested a male doctor. They had no issues with it at all and then asked in my appointment if I needed a chaperone present, which I declined.

[-]

VulkanCurze@reddit

As someone who worked in a hospital, yes, it is perfectly fine for you to ask. The difficult part comes with, in some cases, a specific gender just simply might not be available for it or no specialist of the gender you would like works at that particular hospital.

And also, whenever you had to book an interpreter, the patients also have a choice to select if they want their interpreter to be a specific gender as well for the same obvious reasons as the above.

[-]

MisterIndecisive@reddit

Yes, got asked before by GP surgery if I wanted one (I didn't care though, I totally understand those that do!)

[-]

fergie_89@reddit

Yes.

I was very specific when I went in for an internal scan. Women only. They delivered and the doc I saw was 10/10 kept me so comfortable.

[-]

NikiFuckingLauda@reddit

Yes it is within your rights to ask for a same gendered clinician. You can ask for a chaperone to accompany any intimate examination. Source, i work in an a&e department and always check with the patient first if they are comfortable with me (a man) doing any procedure that they might possibly be uncomfortable with me undertaking. Everyone can ask for either a chaperone or a female colleague of mine to undertake procedure instead.

[-]

Scotsdee@reddit

I'm fairly certain that a female chaperone will be assigned automatically if the consultant is male. It leaves them open to too many possibilities not to. I hope this helps.

[-]

XihuanNi-6784@reddit

That receptionist is wrong and is making it up. You absolutely can ask for this but it may increase your waiting times.

[-]

Crafty-Reality-9425@reddit

Hospitals can be really unsettling for some people and this sort of treatment does not help. The way this receptionist dealt with your request sounds inaccurate and downright rude. Sounds like she made your visit worse, and as for her informing you that they could drop you as a patient, that is really out of order. She's the receptionist, so who is she to say who can, and cannot, use the service. I'm not one from complaining but in this case I would suggest that it is something you may wish consider, if you would comfortable with that.

[-]

ukbot-nicolabot@reddit

A top level comment (one that is not a reply) should be a good faith and genuine attempt to answer the question

[-]

ukbot-nicolabot@reddit

Lots of bans here. For the hard of reading... OP has flared as Serious Replies Only.

This means you MUST answer the quesrion when making a reply to the post. The question is whether it is allowed. There is a side question as to whether it ks discrimination.

It is not asking about your thoughts on sex. Your opinion of receptionists. Or your experiences of the NHS.

Failure to answer the quesrion OP asks will result in a short temp ban.

[-]

oktimeforplanz@reddit

The receptionist is wrong. You are allowed to make that request and the NHS should make their best efforts to fulfil it.

It might mean a longer waiting time, or a rescheduling of the appointment. But as long as you're fine with that, that's what they should do.

I would personally be inclined to notify the practice manager of what the receptionist said, particularly with the threat to drop you as a patient for making the request.

[-]

Icklebunnykins@reddit

I asked for a female surgeon on a recent gynae op. They offered 2 males who could have done it the following week. The female, 2 month wait. I waited. One of the males mucked up my hysterectomy and I nearly died and the other told me I couldn't pass out whilst laying down when pregnant - no I died and had to re resuscitated and they had to change all the paperwork to state "don't lie in your back when pregnant" so no, I'll happily wait and the booking lady was fine with it.

[-]

ukbot-nicolabot@reddit

A top level comment (one that is not a reply) should be a good faith and genuine attempt to answer the question

[-]

Appropriate_Log1654@reddit

Well I refused to have an internal scan yesterday by a male practitioner who seemed like he didn't want to do it either. I felt deeply uncomfortable and very vulnerable.

I hasten to add I've had 2 kids, one pregnancy was awful and I was regularly checked regularly by both male and female staff.

[-]

ukbot-nicolabot@reddit

A top level comment (one that is not a reply) should be a good faith and genuine attempt to answer the question

[-]

PipBin@reddit

I have just had a mammogram. All the staff were female and the letter about the appointment told me that would be the case.

[-]

ukbot-nicolabot@reddit

A top level comment (one that is not a reply) should be a good faith and genuine attempt to answer the question

[-]

oportoman@reddit

Crazy

[-]

ukbot-nicolabot@reddit

A top level comment (one that is not a reply) should be a good faith and genuine attempt to answer the question

[-]

-Precious_Gem@reddit

Certain activities are exempt from discrimination legislation. I've seen job adverts asking for carers of a specific gender (to care for elderly) and quoting the legislation that permits them to do so.

On another note, it's outrageous that the receptionist is behaving that way. I think they forget sometimes that they're dealing with people at their most vulnerable.

[-]

ukbot-nicolabot@reddit

A top level comment (one that is not a reply) should be a good faith and genuine attempt to answer the question

[-]

MiskonceptioN@reddit

I feel like her response was a bit inaccurate and aggressive

An NHS receptionist being rude? I've never heard of such a thing!

(Sidenote: Sorry you're going through whatever it is that's ailing you. Hope you're able to get to the bottom of it)

[-]

ukbot-nicolabot@reddit

A top level comment (one that is not a reply) should be a good faith and genuine attempt to answer the question

[-]

No_Coyote_557@reddit

Computer said no?

[-]

ukbot-nicolabot@reddit

A top level comment (one that is not a reply) should be a good faith and genuine attempt to answer the question

[-]

gerty88@reddit

It’s fine and required for a trauma informed approach to care.

[-]

evenifihateit@reddit

You can ask for a hcp of your sex, yes

The receptionist could do with some retraining

[-]

Worldly_Wafer_6635@reddit

A NHS receptionist being unnecessarily aggressive... You must be mistaken.

This isn't just inaccurate; this lady is actually failing at her job.

Please put in a formal complaint, its not okay.

[-]

Responsible-Ad-1086@reddit

Perhaps she thought she was a GP receptionist

[-]

Worldly_Wafer_6635@reddit

Saving lives, one refused appointment at a time.

[-]

Whosentyounow@reddit

I work in Complaints for the NHS we get our fair share of receptionist based complaints 😂

[-]

Worldly_Wafer_6635@reddit

I'm shocked.

My partner used to do the role-playing for the bedside manner training/testing for foreign doctors.

I'm sure you will have received some complaints about some of the doctors I've overheard.

"Sir, do you have sex like a woman or like a man"

[-]

Whosentyounow@reddit

We get our fair share of complaints as you can imagine about NHS Doctors 😂

[-]

mronion82@reddit

Her response would frighten some women away, and they wouldn't go back.

[-]

Worldly_Wafer_6635@reddit

For sure.

Receptionists are held to a safeguarding standard.

Also I know I am a man saying this.. But women to women should you not just have a little bit more compassion?

[-]

fancyasmilly@reddit

I am by no means an expert, but surely they must allow people to see a specific gender consultant for religious reasons? Or women that are victims of abuse? The response you got seems to be very OTT. I’d put in a complaint if I were you.

[-]

Difficult_Style207@reddit

I am an abuse survivor, having a male midwifery student stick his cold fingers up me to budge my recalcitrant baby was horrific. He then told me to calm down, at which point the female midwife told him to leave the room.

I was trying not to be prejudiced, but now I wish I had trusted my instincts.

[-]

secretlondon@reddit

When I used to work in maternity some staff delighted in telling visibly Muslim patients that they couldn’t see a female doctor

[-]

Spanner1993@reddit

Its obviously fine to ask for a same sex Dr in this context and I imagine alot of people would.

Dr's receptionist are famously nippy sweeties. Id have had quite a stern reply if I was told I HAD to have a female Dr fiddling with my clacker bag. Im straight and as such, much more comfortable with a female handling my Family Jewels but it wouldn't be appropriate, would it?

Might be best off looking for a new practice and make it know to your Dr/consultant WHY your changing practices.

[-]

Naturalgreenhair@reddit

My GP actively gets me a female doctor without asking when it’s a more intimate appointment!

[-]

Oh-reality-come-back@reddit

Make sure to complain to her manager. Who knows what other incorrect information she’s been giving other patients. It’s a serious issue to obstruct accessibility, which is what she’s doing when she says it’s impossible to book a doctor you’re comfortable with

[-]

SkipsH@reddit

And then threatening to drop her from the service.

[-]

secretlondon@reddit

You are unlikely to see the actual consultant, and they won’t be doing the ultrasound.

[-]

ThePeake@reddit

The Equality Act applies to the organisation, not the user; the NHS or specific hospital/trust/practice can't, as far as I'm aware, stop clinicians from doing procedures or tests based on their sex, but patients have the right to request a male or female clinician for certain procedures, subject to staff availability.

[-]

Livingunderthesky@reddit

You can ask for a female radiologist to do the scan.

[-]

Pope_Khajiit@reddit

Yes you can ask for a gender specific consultant. However there's no guarantee someone of that gender will be available. But the staff can help with organising someone you're comfortable with.

Alternatively, you can request a chaperone. This will be someone who's in the room with you to provide reassurance that the consultant acts appropriately. It's not uncommon to request a chaperone for an intimate assesment.

Anecdotally: for anything below the belt (I'm male) I've requested a male doctor. One time I had a more thorough examination and was offered a chaperone (three times!) to be present.

[-]

photism78@reddit

You can ask for a chaperone.

[-]

abyssal-isopod86@reddit

Yes it is allowed.

[-]

ConsciousNectarine9@reddit

You absolutely have the right to ask, especially for something so intimate. They must make a reasonable attempt to help, and if they cannot then they should refer to someone who can. (At least that's how it was the last time I checked)

[-]

smellyfeet25@reddit

so is a racist allowed to ask for a specific nationality or check the doctor isn't gay?

[-]

ukbot-nicolabot@reddit

A top level comment (one that is not a reply) should be a good faith and genuine attempt to answer the question

[-]

MembershipWeekly2752@reddit

Yeah, I asked for a non binary furry oncologist and the NHS obliged

[-]

ukbot-nicolabot@reddit

A top level comment (one that is not a reply) should be a good faith and genuine attempt to answer the question

[-]

infieldcookie@reddit

That’s ridiculous of them to say that. I’ve personally always been *asked* whether I’d prefer a female consultant, or if I’d like a chaperone, whenever it’s been anything ‘intimate’ like that.

[-]

IrrelevantPiglet@reddit

You are allowed to request this yes. You can also request a chaperone (either someone you know or one of the clinical staff), which may be a good alternative if they do not have a female doctor available.

[-]

changhyun@reddit

It's fine to ask. You may have to wait a bit longer but it's a relatively common request.

I recently had my pap smear on a drop-in day and because most of the waiting room were waiting for the female doctor, I essentially skipped the queue and got called first to see the male doctor two seconds after I sat down. And I still had a female nurse in the room acting as a chaperone, even then.

[-]

Perfect_Jacket_9232@reddit

You’re allowed to ask under the NHS constitution. They have to make reasonable efforts to do so, but of course this may not be possible, or lead to a delay receiving treatment.

[-]

smellyfeet25@reddit

Yes I would say that is discrimination. . What if you asked for a white only doctor? would that be okay? What if you specified that the female doctor must not be gay or bi sexual ? is that okay? No is the answer.You obviously don't really want the help of our skilled professionals then PLEASE stop wasting NHS time.

[-]

When replying to submission/post please make genuine efforts to answer the question given. Please no jokes, judgements, etc. If a post is marked 'Serious Answers Only' you may receive a ban for violating this rule.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!

Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.