To be surprised to have a male health visitor?

[PeriodFeatures]

Just that really! I wondered what other people think?

[cjdamoo]

Its funny but of my five births my best experiance was a lovely male midwife called Dave. I only got him because 3 other women refused. Im also over the moon my sons Kindy teacher is a young man.

[CoconutRing]

Great post Mrsdavidcaruso.

[HavantGuard]

Yes, it's a psychological problem. The locum GP who had an 18 year old girl on my corridor in halls strip naked from the waist up to listen to her chest with a stethoscope must have liked a clear work area

[CoconutRing]

TUBE

[FreudiansSlipper]

i have never heard of anyone having a male hv

i am sure i would have been ok with it, but for those who are not of course i think the choice should be there

when i go to my doctors they always ask would i prefer to see a male doctor or female, sometimes i would just rather speak to a female doctor and i am sure there are times when many men would rather see a male doctor

that is not the same as discriminating against someone because they are gay or asian it often comes from awkwardness about talking about health issues and your body

[FreudiansSlipper]

and would should a woman (or a man) have to disclose they have been a victim of physical or sexual abuse to be given the right to see a doctor/hv of their own sex

[pigsDOfly]

Wouldn't have minded a male HV when I was having my children. But several years ago I turned up for an appointment for a mammogram and was rather surprised to find the person performing it was a young man.

I have no issue with male midwives and doctors but for some reason having a man manhandling my breast felt a little inappropriate.

Never happened to me since, but I noticed when I received a letter recently offering me my latest appointment for a mammogram (a different part of the country) they made a point of telling you that all their staff are female.

I don't think it's got anything to do with equal opportunities but everything to do with people feeling comfortable in what can be uncomfortable situations and it's not unreasonable to expect that for certain medical procedures women should be cared for by other women.

[Madratlady]

I'm sorry to hear that you've worked with some bad male health care professionals Coconut but I think to tar them all with the same brush is completely wrong and I wonder if there are other things colouring your opinion as well?

I have worked with some wonderful male nurses and doctors who would never behave in an inappropriate or unprofessional manner. My current line manager (nurse) is male and he's great. So kind and caring.

I would have no issues with a male hv or midwife although for anything involving an examination 'down there' then I think I might feel more comfortable with a woman.

[ayahushca]

As a bloke working in a female dominant healthcare related profession, it hurts incredibly badly when I'm refused, or see that mistrust in the eyes. I don't blame the woman, cos I don't know what they've been through or why they feel this way, but it just makes me feel so dirty, and so bitter, cos why why why do I have to feel this way, when I'm never been part of anything wrong.

[Dobbiesmum]

I have dealt with some bloody awful midwives and health visitors, all women btw over the years, never any male ones but it wouldn't have bothered me in the slightest. When I had a colposcopy some years ago I allowed some students into the room, one was male. What mattered to me most was the treatment I received, not the genitalia of the people present.

When DH had to have several examinations of his testicles the HCP doing the scan, and the one doing the initial examination were both female. Would he have the same right to refuse as some are advocating here?

[sweetestcup]

To tar 50% of the population as abusers etc based on the actions of some of their gender is just plain wrong, no matter what your personal experience.

[Dobbiesmum]

I thought male HCP's had to have someone else present during intimate exams to avoid anything like the experiences described or is that a fairly recent thing?

[Opalite]

Dobbiesmum, his body- his choice. Of course he should have the right to refuse a woman to examine his testicles.

[Opalite]

I can't get my head around the fact that some people on this thread would rather a woman felt uncomfortable or intimidated than a male health visitor get refused...

[Opalite]

The women who feel uncomfortable letting a male into their home or being seen by a male GP ARE NOT TO BLAME society, the massive rape culture, the fact that over 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 16, the way women are regularly and routinely treated inappropriately by men ETC. ETC. ETC. ETC. ETC.... Do you fucking blame some women for feeling a bit uncomfortable?

[missingmumxox]

last night we had a small electrical fire under the stairs we where trapped upstairs, the fire brigade came and got DS1 out, down the ladder another fire fighter started to come up, to get Ds2 down but I had seen before the helmet went on that it was a woman coming up so I refused her saving my son, even though I then saw that the first fire fighter took off their BA after saving Ds1 and was a woman. when I am in a fire I WANT A MAN TO DO IT! oh! no actually thinking on in my bed in East Grinstead I should just have left the people trained to do their job just get on with it...what do you think?

GET A FUCKING GRIP especially rape quote Opalite,

[missingmumxox]

PS I am a trained nurse and I bloody hate the differences made between male and female nurses and I am the first to offer to chaperone male nurses/doctors/radiographers/physios because of shit that is thrown at them on a daily basis, I also now insist in on a male being present when I examine a man, after a man objected me feeling his testicles....I didn't even examine them...no need...he had a hernia..so blame you waiting lists on time wasters who after a bit of money, so 2 nurses need to be present instead of them both doing a clinic and then the hours they are unavailable while they wait in court to be called...that can take days...enjoy.

[missingmumxox]

pps i do know that sexual abuse has happened in the health service but it is extremely rare, but both men and women are allowed to ask or a chaperone, and it's never been a big request it is just now we feel we need to do it for whole clinics rather than a quick 2 minutes when the patient is vulnerable.

[HicDraconis]

I strip patients when examining them. To listen to the heart and lungs you need clothes not to be in the way. To listen to the heart properly you need (often) to lift the left breast out of the way in female patients, less often with male. Medical students are taught to expose patients to the waist for full heart / lung examination, nipples to knees for abdominal.

If I'm female that's ok - but if a male colleague does the same it isn't? What do all the man-haters do in an emergency when there are only male doctors on? Bleed to death?

[HicDraconis]

Actually some opinions on here have made me really angry. Yes there are going to be some evil people out there who happen to be doctors, but that doesn't make every male doctor someone to be feared and avoided. I work with some truly brilliant, caring, gentle men.

In the same way not all nursery workers are paedophiles because there have been press reports about one or two. Not all GPs are serial killers just because one serial killer happened to be a GP. Not all teachers are lecherous idiots just because one ran off with a pupil. Not all people on benefits are workshy scroungers having their lifestyles funded by the taxpayer in spite of what the DM would have us believe.

Narrow minded bigotry.

[Morloth]

I think the person being examined/treated should have the final say on who they allow to do that.

Me? I don't give a shit either way, just get the job done.

If it means they have to wait a little longer or some feelings get hurt, well that is an uunfortunate consequence.

But no way no how should people have to put up with anyone touching them I they do not wish it.

Their reasons are irrelevant.

[hoarseoldfrog]

I don't think its about bigotry though, its about people's own past experiences and who they feel comfortable with. In the same way I would always try and ask for the sympathetic male doctor I know than the female who is quite dismissive and I feel more anxious around.
The firefighter example is about competency.no one is saying that men are not as competent in these roles as women, just that some peoples personal experiences will make them uncomfortable being examined by someone of a certain gender. People put off seeing their healthcare professionals about em arrassing illnesses anyway, without this additional pressure. I'm sure there are male patients who feel more comfortable seeing a male Dr, and if it means they get necessary treatment quickly, that's for the best.

[chrome100]

I am writing this as a victim of rape. I think it's appalling to be so suspicious of all men - it's downright sexist and prejudice. Men have just as much right to pursue a career in midwifery as women.

I also disagree that women should be able to refuse treatment from men on "cultural grounds". As a poster above said, either we have equal opps or we don't - it works both ways. In 21st century Britain I completely disagree that people are permitted to refuse care from someone based in their gender.

I was treated for cervical cancer recently which was very traumatic for me because of my past. It was performed by a male. A doctor who happened to be male and one who'd no doubt worked very hard in his chosen career. Not a pervert, not a rapist, a doctor.

[Afritutu]

Male midwife delivered dd2. I couldn't have cared less. It was 4 in the morning and I only just made it in hospital in time. He was fantastic, and stitched up my second degree tear. Unless you are a domestic anuse victim or are of some religion or culture where it is an issue, in the 21at century this Really doesn't matter.

[MidniteScribbler]

Everyone should have the right to not be treated by anyone, for whatever reason. We aren't talking about being served at the grocery store. It's deeply personal situation and every person has the right to feel comfortable and safe when being treated.