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Original poster

Will smears be done by men/TWs in future?

137 replies

WeepyWillow · 28/02/2023 13:30

I had a smear test this week. The female nurse asked whether I wanted a chaperone in the room with us.

Bemused, I asked what she was on about. New policy apparently. Previously, if a male medic is performing an intimate examination the (female?) patient is offered a chaperone. But now, For Equality, the offer is made to all irrespective of sexes involved.

Is this to pave the way for TWs doing smears? Will the offer of a chaperone be to cover the NHS back?

I know from breast examinations that a female is always in the room when a male doctor examines. They don't even ask you, the team of two will be in the room. For mammograms a female x-rayer is guaranteed. But what might that mean in future?

On the one hand I think, don't be so ridiculous Weepy, it'll never happen. But on the other...

At the moment I can ask to see a female GP, no problem. For most complaints the sex of the doctor is irrelevant but sometimes I feel more comfortable talking to a woman. Might I lose that option in future?

OP posts:
Astralitzia · 28/02/2023 15:30

Men can perform smear tests now, it's not a new thing. I was offered a male nurse once (years ago, for my first ever smear test no less) but I asked instead for a female which I got.

GailBlancheViola · 28/02/2023 15:10

Will smears be done by men/TWs in future?

Not on me they won't.

overwork · 28/02/2023 15:08

I've no idea about TW doing smears, but I perform a different intimate procedure, on females (I'm female), and I have to offer every single patient having that procedure a chaperone. It's part of our policy. I have to document in our records that I have offered a chaperone. Patients usually decline.
I do an intimate procedure on males too and have to offer them a male chaperone, but I appreciate that's different!

smldnlove · 28/02/2023 15:01

Oops ignore that! Wrong thread

smldnlove · 28/02/2023 14:58

Hi!

Anyone else about to or just started their first TTC journey? Would love to have a little community group on here! Comment below if so ☺️

BrownTableMat · 28/02/2023 14:33

No, this is nonsense. I’ve unfortunately had to have several intimate examinations over the past few months. They’ve always been conducted by female HCPs (one I was offered a man but refused and was given a woman to do it) and in every case but one, there was a (female) chaperone in the room too. As others have said, it’s for the protection both of the patient and of the HCP and it is, or should be, offered regardless of the sex of the HCP.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 28/02/2023 14:33

If a chaperone is offered, I'm really not sure what your issue is.

Female nurses regularly conduct intimate consultations with men.

mauvish · 28/02/2023 14:31

WeepyWillow · 28/02/2023 13:30

I had a smear test this week. The female nurse asked whether I wanted a chaperone in the room with us.

Bemused, I asked what she was on about. New policy apparently. Previously, if a male medic is performing an intimate examination the (female?) patient is offered a chaperone. But now, For Equality, the offer is made to all irrespective of sexes involved.

Is this to pave the way for TWs doing smears? Will the offer of a chaperone be to cover the NHS back?

I know from breast examinations that a female is always in the room when a male doctor examines. They don't even ask you, the team of two will be in the room. For mammograms a female x-rayer is guaranteed. But what might that mean in future?

On the one hand I think, don't be so ridiculous Weepy, it'll never happen. But on the other...

At the moment I can ask to see a female GP, no problem. For most complaints the sex of the doctor is irrelevant but sometimes I feel more comfortable talking to a woman. Might I lose that option in future?

Is this to pave the way for TWs doing smears?

No.

The medical defence unions recommend that a chaperone is always offered by medical attendants who are performing an "intimate examination" (or one that might be construed as such). That's been the case for many years.

It makes no difference what sex the HCP is, or indeed the sex of the patient; the recommendation is the same.

Chaperones can be seen as protecting the patient against a HCP who is a bad'un; but they can also be seen as a protection for the HCA against a patient (another bad'un!) who might make an unfounded allegation of assualt (or when a patient might be violent or aggressive). Both situations are, thankfully, fairly uncommon, but either could happen on any day. Both parties - HCP and patient - are very vulnerable once they're in a room together with a closed door and no witnesses.

lipstickwoman · 28/02/2023 14:21

It matters less what gender the health professional is than their professional behaviour.

BloodyHellKen · 28/02/2023 14:18

I'm GC, in fact I think the whole gender bollocks is complete nonsense and I think being forced to have a smear done by a trans woman is exceedingly unlikely but maybe you should ask yourself if you went to see a (male) gynaecologist and they examined you, with a female chaperone in the room would it be any different and if so why?

Original poster
WeepyWillow · 28/02/2023 13:45

@Nellieinthebarn A male nurse administering medication or recording observations would be fine and probably happens a lot. I guess it is whether one has veto on something like a bed bath.

OP posts:
Nellieinthebarn · 28/02/2023 13:33

I don't think you can assume it will never happen. When this has already happened.
metro.co.uk/2022/10/20/hospital-cancels-gender-critical-womans-surgery-over-17604469/

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