Not sure why I'm posting. I’m just feeling shaken up after a phone call with a smear test nurse, and I just need to share what happened as it's left me feeling incredibly dismissed and upset.
I recently received a letter from my GP practice asking for proof of my address and that if I did not respond in time, would mean they remove me from the practice so I promptly emailed. Over the weekend, I got the same letter so this morning I sent an email again. I then received a call from the smear test nurse at the practice. She tells me that I hadn't booked a smear test and questioned why. I said, I'll be very honest, I know it's important and I've been avoiding it due to past sexual violence and that I was on a waiting list for a charity that provides support for women who have been assaulted and require cervical screening etc.
Her response was shocking to say the least. She said, it's a nurse who does the procedure, it wasn't a nurse who hurt you. (??!!). I felt vulnerable? I tried to explain that the trauma I experienced made the thought of a smear test incredibly distressing for me.
Instead of offering any kind of support or understanding, she asked if I was declining the test. I said yes but explained that it wasn't because I didn't want one, but because of the anxiety and fear it caused me and from the conversation, I don't think I'll get the support I need at the practice. She said yes that's why she had sent the letter about removing me from the GP practice list because she knew it would "make you respond". She said okay, she'll take my name of the list but I need to come into the practice and complete a form.
Within minutes of hanging up, I received a text reminding me to book a smear test, signed by the same nurse.
I'm at a loss for words. I don't know why I'm sharing this but the call happened during my lunch break and it sounds silly but I felt like I couldn't breathe. I explicitly told her I was assaulted, that I'm scared of this procedure because of how distressing it is and she was just so cold and dismissive.