Two years ago during lockdown, I went for a mammogram. Uneasy when found it was in a deserted basement ( the usual place actually ) but nobody else around, neither patients or staff. Only a male radiographer who was definitely not part of the usual team who have always been women. No chaperone and didn’t like me expressing my concerns. I did go ahead though, but he treated me with contempt, very rough handling etc. not an experience I wanted to repeat. I wrote a letter to the coordinator suggesting that this man needed further training and that women should be contacted in advance if he was the only one available. I never received a reply but I did phone to check on my latest exam and was told he was no longer there.
Amazingly in the queue two years on, the was another woman who had also had the same experience and we compared notes. She too had phoned up anxious to know why would happen this time. The courtesy and care provided by the women radiographers was as usual. I was called back for a scan and was met by a young male junior member of staff. I asked if there could be a woman doing the scan . I was told this was not possible but the male doctor arrived with a woman as chaperone. Totally appropriate, as was the way the scan was done. I took the opportunity to explain why I had requested a female doctor. I was surprised by the response of the women, who told me that it couldn’t have happened , that of course mammograms are uncomfortable. I know this ,having had many, but the way I had been treated was way beyond normal. .I thought there was a non verbal exchange between the two, and I suspect they know something else. I told them I had met another woman who had also experienced the same but was told ..only 2 out of 3000.
Another complaint sent. Suggesting they pay attention to womens concerns. I now wonder whether the man was a complete imposter…
This is minor compared to what has happened in various hospitals in Uk to women and children, but we need to keep on our guard and not be gaslit.