Deliberate obscuring of gynaecologists' sex?

[Carryonmarion]

I've got an appointment next week for a hysteroscopy (40 mins or so of camera up fanny, Merry Christmas). The letter states that consultant Dr [no first name] x, or a member of their team will be carrying out my procedure. I've googled Dr x and the hospital but they aren't showing up at all. I'll bet my savings that Dr x is a man and they don't want people complaining, cancelling or requesting a woman, so this is deliberately ambiguous wording. It's a 2 week wait referral so I can't be arsed enquiring or complaining, just want to be seen and given the all clear. Fingers crossed that Dr x is too important to actually do the hysteroscopy bit and it will be a nice woman who has some empathy about the unpleasantness of it all carrying out the procedure.

And also best of luck. I hope you're treated with kindness, dignity and respect, and that the results come back clear.

Are you having a general anaesthetic? I have regular hysteroscopies and there is no way I would consider having one without!

I am not having a GA. I've been told to take some paracetamol!!!

I had 2 paracetamol and 2 ibuprofen and it was absolutely fine. I had a transvaginal scan last which which I found far more uncomfortable.

I don't know if its too late to make a PALS complaint about her but I think I am finally ready to.

It isn't. Falsifying records and the way in which she behaved (possibly assault?) could have her up with the GMC. She may have done all sorts of terrible things and still be treating patients like this now.

I don't think you actually have to go via PALS, I think you can make a written complaint directly to hospital management.You can also get a solicitor involved to write the letter if you want to even if not going down the Medical Negligence Solicitor pathway as such.

Thanks Grimsby.
It is worrying that this is the head gynae committing these wrongs, not just an underling.

That's normal standard wording on a genetic letter. If you want a female ask for one really failing to understand your angst

I have to have the same procedure soon and it’s not occurred to me to ask whether the person is a man or a woman as I’ve waited nearly 2 years to be seen and I’m desperate so quite frankly they could be green and have two heads and four penises as long as they know what they’re doing. But I appreciate not everyone feels the same; you can of course request a woman but be prepared that you may end up having to wait longer to do so if there aren’t as many women consultants available.

I too was treated much more kindly by a male consultant gynae compared with his female registrar. Hope the procedure goes as well as it can.

The OP is clearly anxious about possibly seeing a male dr and all the posts saying ‘my male doctor was lovely’ are obviously well meant but I feel they’re kinda dismissive of the OP’s feelings. I don’t care how ‘nice’ a male dr is, if it’s for intimate check ups or treatment I want a female and we should normalize that request.
OP, just call and tell them you want a woman dr. If that means you have to wait longer then you can decide what’s best for you. You’re not being precious or difficult to want only other women providing you with intimate care.

At my last gynae appointment, the women, including me all asked for a woman when assigned to a male doctor. It wasn't a problem, just meant the man forlornly twiddling his thumbs and women waiting a little longer.

Actually it was a hideous experience with the woman I got, made all the more confusing because she was a woman and was 'nice'.

So what?! Women have a right to not want a man perform these things, it’s not dependant on how nice the man is, it’s about HER choice.

For emergencies (and a 2 week referral comes into this category) sure the only thing that matters is their qualifications and experience? The reason it's ambiguous ("or of their team") is that shifts get switched, sickness, annual leave etc happens and they cannot guarantee who is seeing you and their sex. The majority of gynaecologists are women in my experience, was an all female department last time I had treatment.

Drs are highly trained professionals, there's no conspiracy out there