Care Opinion

Privacy concern at Rapid Access Unit Hairmyres Hospital

Posted By Mitchell

"Privacy concern at Rapid Access Unit Hairmyres Hospital"

About: University Hospital Hairmyres / Gynaecology

(as the patient),

I needed to have a hysteroscopy, the two nurses (Margaret & Sheila) were excelent doing their best to reassure me, talk through what was going to happen. Margaret gave me further information on the possible treatment options.

I would like to raise the point that patients are required to remove most of their clothing and put on a hospital gown which ties at the back (which Margaret had to help me tie). Whilst the nurses did their best to shield me from the patients in the waiting area (both male and female), I had to walk across the corridor into the examination room and back to the same room when my examination was completed. I find this quite unacceptable that some form of screen is not available.

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Responses

Response from Gwen MacIntyre, Senior Nurse for the Care of the Elderly, University Hospital Hairmyres, NHS Lanarkshire 8 years ago
Gwen MacIntyre
Senior Nurse for the Care of the Elderly, University Hospital Hairmyres,
NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 28/04/2016 at 09:26
Published on Care Opinion at 10:13

picture of Gwen MacIntyre

Dear Mitchell,

I'm very pleased you found our staff so reassuring, I will speak to Margaret and Sheila to pass on your kind comments.

However I am concerned that you felt your privacy and dignity were compromised.

The patient gowns should wrap all around the person and tie at the side to help maintain dignity. If there are old style gowns still in circulation which tie to the back and I am aware (from personal experience) do not afford full coverage, I will ensure staff do not use them from this moment on-wards.

I will visit the department to ensure staff are aware of the above to avoid you or anyone else being put in a position of vulnerability.

I hope you will be more comfortable on any future visits to Hairmyres Hospital.

Kind Regards

Gwen

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Response from Gwen MacIntyre, Senior Nurse for the Care of the Elderly, University Hospital Hairmyres, NHS Lanarkshire 8 years ago
We have made a change
Gwen MacIntyre
Senior Nurse for the Care of the Elderly, University Hospital Hairmyres,
NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 29/04/2016 at 08:07
Published on Care Opinion at 09:59

picture of Gwen MacIntyre

Dear Mitchell,

I visited the department yesterday and shared your kind comments and also your concerns with the staff, they absolutely agree patient dignity should be upheld at all times.

Staff will remove any gowns which are not appropriate and offer patients a second gown to wear as a 'dressing gown' style until they enter the test rooms to avoid any embarrassment.

Staff will also change their practice of how they escort patients to the exam room which will avoid anyone in the waiting area seeing the patient transfer and protect dignity.

Sheila and Margaret will share this with the remaining staff to ensure all are maintaining the same high standards to protect patient vulnerability.

Kind Regards

Gwen

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