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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not go for scan in a car park

112 replies

JesusSufferingFuck22 · 20/02/2023 15:53

I’ve been given a breast screening appointment. It’s in a mobile unit at our local supermarket.

I have mobility issues due to MS and think it’ll be a challenge for me to get there.

Does anyone know how accessible these vans are? I use a manual wheelchair but can walk a short distance/use stairs with handrails.
I’ve emailed them and let them know my needs but I’m feeling pretty uncomfortable about it. It’s like my disability will be on display in a car park. Can I request to have my appointment elsewhere or am I being too sensitive?

OP posts:
GreatBigBeautifulTommorow · 20/02/2023 20:02

@JesusSufferingFuck22 DM has mobility issues and recently received an appt for a mobile unit.
we called about access and they advised only stairs, no ramp. They were able to book her into the local breast unit instead.

Ihavedogs · 21/02/2023 07:55

Cas112 · 20/02/2023 19:44

They will have wheelchair access

Whilst they should be fully accessible, they don’t always have wheelchair access as many of us have already stated on here. The best option of the OP is to phone to check, which could save a wasted journey and anticipation.

londonrach · 21/02/2023 07:59

Very assessable and tbh how must breast screening is done. They found my DM breast cancer and she was treated at hospital and ok now. You being abit ott re this.

Strugglingtodomybest · 21/02/2023 08:11

Just call them and ask surely?

Stravaig · 21/02/2023 08:48

I have a mammogram in a mobile unit today. My first - bit scared! Hospital car park not supermarket, and I don't use a wheelchair, but I can report back if it helps?

JesusSufferingFuck22 · 21/02/2023 11:02

Thank for all the input everyone. Even for the not so kind stuff. It gives me a reminder that the majority of people are alright😄
I don’t drive anymore and the route to that supermarket is downright dangerous/impossible to get to on my mobility scooter. Tried it twice in 5 years. Otherwise I would go and check it out. My dh will be taking me.
The unit itself it usually next to the bottle bank which is pretty close to the store entrance.

I called this morning. They have rescheduled me for a “wheelchair appointment” at the same place. The person I spoke to described it as a hoist. They fold the stairs away or something. I didn’t really get it but hey ho, another new experience. The person I spoke to sounded quite miserable tbh.

The other call handlers could be heard in the background complaining about the client they’d just been speaking to. Understandable but not very professional😂
I forgot to ask about a toilet. I’m not phoning back so I’ll just take my chances and hope my bladder is behaving that day and wear big Tena pads.

The appointment will be about 20 minutes and most of that will be the faff with the hoist I think. THIS is what I’m not looking forward to. I feel like it takes away my dignity. Only I can change that feeling I suppose.

Simple and straightforward things become a bit more complicated with MS.

If I was able bodied this would be a walk in the park and I wouldn’t be on here asking for advice about going into a unit in a supermarket car park.
Thanks again for your responses.

OP posts:
Stravaig · 21/02/2023 13:06

Back! Sounds like you're organised, OP, but I'll leave this here in case it's useful to someone else.

The van was tucked along the side of the hospital building, apparently it's usual space, which I have never noticed before. Very discreet.

Six to eight stairs up, along the side of the van, onto a wee porch with bell, speaker, locked door. A disembodied voice checks name and appt before letting you in. There's a wee office/reception cubby to the left and a padded bench opposite the door to wait. Two curtained changing cubicles along a corridor to the right, with a folded wheelchair opposite (possibly for use if personal one is too wide?). At the back, a closed room where the scans are actually done. Lots of space inside. It's set up so one person can be in appt/leaving and another arriving, and that's it really. It feels entirely private when you're in there. Toasty warm too. Two members of staff that I could see, one doing a screen with the previous person, one who welcomed me then did my screen. She was lovely, and very deft with the distracting chat during the screen itself!

I had a few minutes to wait, so I asked questions.

No toilet. Hence parking up at hospital/supermarket/place with facilities nearby.

There is a lift! The stairs flatten and convert into a shallow ramp, platform at top of stairs is actually the lift. My invitation letter said to call if xyz, one of which was using a wheelchair, so perhaps there is a choice of travelling to a physical centre or reserving a longer appointment at a mobile unit?

Final note: I'm in Scotland. We have six centres, in the big cities and south, but are well used to mobile provision for all sorts of things in the north. This van travels all over the Highlands and Islands. It's a big thank you NHS Scotland from me 💙

JesusSufferingFuck22 · 21/02/2023 14:43

@Stravaig
thank you SO much for all this info! Lovely that you have taken the time to post this. It’s really helpful xx

OP posts:
Stravaig · 21/02/2023 15:11

@JesusSufferingFuck22 You're welcome! In truth, thank YOU, trying to remember to ask things which might be useful for you helped distract me from my own first-time jitters xx

Stravaig · 21/02/2023 16:53

PP are right, 'van' gives the wrong impression. It's the back section of a lorry. Mine looked a lot like this photo from the internet. Just a few tiny windows, lots of handrails, and a lift platform.

Speaking as someone in a rather introverted phase of life, I found it much more private than having to enter the scrum of a GP or hospital clinic. I only interacted with one person and only glimpsed in passing two others.

To not go for scan in a car park
ThighMistress · 21/02/2023 18:46

@JesusSufferingFuck22 in the interests of research I had a good look at the one in Tesco’s car park today.

It was parked in the far corner; no one was anywhere near. You could park adjacent. There were six steps in and out but a double hand rail.

Last time I went to the “van” at the local leisure centre. It was all very nice. Previously I paid £80 for a mammogram at a private hospital. Yes, there was thick- pile carpet and Mrs This and Mrs That and a cup of coffee…. BUT they lost my results Shock

JesusSufferingFuck22 · 21/02/2023 19:02

Thanks @ThighMistress for having a good look today.

Yes, paying for healthcare you’d expect more.

OP posts:
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