To expect a doctor or a nurse to fit my contraceptive implant

[Dalaidramailama]

And not a healthcare assistant?

Usually when I get my implant removed and a new one inserted I have a GP and a nurse who do this for me at my practice.

I would be happy for a nurse to do this, but I am uncomfortable with a healthcare assistant doing minor surgery on me, AIBU?

Why? If they were not qualified or capable, they would not be allowed to do it.

Good luck trying to get a GP or nurse to do it. Took me 3 weeks to get a GP appointment. I'd take what I was offered if I was you.

I'm a nurse and would have no idea where to start with inserting an implant. The HCA (or nurse, or GP) will have received specific training to do this.

I would like a trained and competent person. I couldn’t care less what ‘rank’ they were. I recently found out my favourite ‘nurse’ at our practice is a ‘HCA’ - she’s fab!

Should have stated I usually have both the doctor and nurse whilst having the removal/insertion. I wasn’t expecting a GP this time around due to funding cuts but I was at least expecting a nurse.

It doesn’t sit right with. Irrespective of how well trained this HCA is they have no professional registration on the line if anything was to go wrong. What next?

Hmm cost cutting if you ask me.

Yes you are being unreasonable. The 'HCA' could actually Be an assistant practitioner with a level 4 qualification and registration with the nmc.

If you don't want them to do it. Go find somewhere else to do it.

The HCA has probably been trained to do the procedure. I wouldn't be worried about this personally. I was a clinical nurse specialist for years and trained the HCAs ion my team myself. I knew exactly what they could do and had confidence in them. It really is all about the training.
The last person to do a lumbar puncture on me was a specially trained nurse who did nothing else but LPs, around 12 a day. She was excellent.

I agree with you OP. I’m a nurse and fit implants- I’ve never experienced a HCA in any settings doing this procedure. I can do it as I’ve done a diploma and additional training which is monitored and updated every 5 years and I pay membership to continue my registration. This should apply to any professional doctor or nurse doing it. There is no way a healthcare assistant should be doing this (and I love my HCAs!)

@endofthelinefinally

Thank you. Just the sort of response I was hoping for actually.

@NameChangeLifeChange

Thanks for this response also. I may look into my local sexual health clinic as an alternative.

Oh stop. They’ve hardly let some untrained randomer off the street do it, the HCA would be fully and safely trained and competent.

If this is in GP, they will have to have insurance, probably with the MDU.

I imagine it’s a skill that can be learned without needing to do a degree. There will be others in the surgery that will be available to help if needed. It’s always been a really simple procedure for me.

The HCA will have been fully trained. No-one can do any procedure without completing training, which would include being assessed as to her competence. So yes - you are being unreasonable.

Why don't you email the practice manager at your GP surgery to ask about the training that the person has received.

Then decide whether you want to go ahead with it.

If not, ask the PM what your options are.

YANBU when you pay privately you can dictate exactly who you think is good enough to perform a procedure.

Of course if you're getting it for free on the NHS then YAB-massively-U, you should accept whichever qualified and trained professional is chosen to perform the procedure.

I am a GP specifically trained in contraceptive procedures and when removing an implant always do this under aseptic conditions with the assistance of a nurse. If they have the recognised training they can fit an implant by themselves but certainly not remove one.

@forwhatitsworthtome

I do agree. Firstly I will see if I can book in with a nurse at my local sexual health clinic. I’ve always just gone to my GP practice so I am not sure if they’ll be able to do it but it will be worth investigating. Other than that yes I’ll have to go private if needs be.

Nurses hold professional registrations for accountability purposes. HCAs as fab as they may be, do not.

Slippery slope if you ask me. It doesn’t matter that it is a simply procedure, it is still minor surgery. Expecting a nurse isn’t asking for too much.

@Putkettleonlove

It is for a removal and an insertion. Thanks for your response.

I've only had 1 inserted and removed. This was all pre covid. Only 1 person, a gp, at either appointment.

As long as they're trained and do a good job I don't mind. My last implant was fitted by a GP and it was unbelievably painful. I won't be going back to her for the next.

I’m a HCP (not a nurse of HCA) and I do agree that it’s a slippery slope, it’s done to save money and free up doctors and nurses to do other more “complex” work, and while I think in some circumstances it’s perfectly safe for someone other than a doctor or nurse to perform a procedure typically performed by a doctor or nurse, but I think it is going a bit too far now.

I agree in principle, the problem is there’s a massive shortfall in gps and about 50-100000 nurses short. So there may not actually be one available to do the procedure.

think we’ll see much more of tasks being downgraded. It’s not so much a slippery slope these days more a white knuckle ride.

I am a GP specifically trained in contraceptive procedures and when removing an implant always do this under aseptic conditions with the assistance of a nurse. If they have the recognised training they can fit an implant by themselves but certainly not remove one

Why can't they remove one? When mine was removed it was by a nurse, just a quick cut, grab and slide out.

Having a GP and a nurse both do it is really unusual to be fair. Both times I’ve been for mine it’s been just a nurse.