Page 12 | Smear appointment reminder with a Mx

catin8oots · 2024-07-02T11:34:26+00:00

Have a routine smear booked at my local surgery and just received a reminder text saying it will be with Mx Firstname Surname. I have no idea if this person is a biological woman or a biological man. Can I call and ask?

ItsNotInMyMind · 02/07/2024 19:51

334bu · 02/07/2024 19:43

Well I’m glad I didn’t insist the consultant who performed the emergency episiotomy and ventouse delivery during labour was a natural born woman. Time being of the essence somewhat. Thanks to his skills both me and my baby survived 🙃

This would only be relevant to this situation if you had been alone with this male doctor.

So patients have the right to a chaperone and in my experience are always asked if they are happy to continue without.

Does this mean that if your medical professional was trans but a chaperone was present, that would be ok?

I have no idea how many appointments I’ve had with male doctors over the years but I’ve never asked for a chaperone.

buttnut · 02/07/2024 19:56

Chaperone or no chaperone I would never have a smear performed by a male nurse/dr

Hibernatalie · 02/07/2024 19:59

Est1990 · 02/07/2024 15:35

I genuinely can't understand why so many women want a female doing a Medical procedure other than that you are literally sexualising a Medical procedure.
What if it's end up being a lesbian?🤣

I wouldn't mind a lesbian doing my smear test at all but I wouldn't let a man do it - even if he was gay. It hasn't nothing to do with sexual attraction.

Zippedeedooda · 02/07/2024 19:59

ItsNotInMyMind · 02/07/2024 19:47

I mean, why didn’t you take it up with them? Things won’t change if you just let this happen.

Show quote history

Well obviously I did.
I always responded with ‘ that’s not a question that’s relevant’ or ‘ you really can’t ask that’.
When I invariably didn’t get the job I always wrote and asked why referencing the question asked and I have spoken and written to the ARB about it on many occasions.

Heres a great example for you
We have to be registered with the ARB to practice. Reg charge is made each year.
I gave birth to twins and because I was signed off early in my pregnancy took more than a year off and got a letter telling me my registration was cancelled as I hadn’t paid my yearly fee. I phoned them to say I was on maternity and was told I’d have to sit an exam and do an interview to re register. My money was one day late and there was no give for women on maternity, nothing! I wouldn’t mind but my office usually paid but decided that year it was a waste as I wasn’t working for them at the time🤯.

Heres another
We have to do yearly CPD to maintain registration. My office booked me into a lecture on roofing. I went along (£250 cost) to find out I wasn’t allowed in as the ARB had booked a mens club for the lecture and no women were allowed. What are they doing using a gentleman’s club for their lectures!

That’s the utter crap some of us have to put up with all the time.

apologies OP for the derail

but I do notice many people have no idea how some industries still take the p…
and constantly get away with it even from their awarding bodies.

PurpleSparkledPixie · 02/07/2024 20:03

Female nurse doing intimate medical procedure = fine.
Male nurse doing intimate medical procedure = not fine but if there's nobody else then I suppose I would have to.
Trans person doing intimate medical procedure = not fine.

Why? Because you cannot change sex, so a person who tries to make you think that, or thinks that themselves, shouldn't have passed their medical qualifications. Sex is biological, medicine is based on biology. I don't want a person who doesn't understand basic biology doing an intimate medical procedure on me, ever.

PepeParapluie · 02/07/2024 20:03

ItsNotInMyMind · 02/07/2024 19:51

So patients have the right to a chaperone and in my experience are always asked if they are happy to continue without.

Does this mean that if your medical professional was trans but a chaperone was present, that would be ok?

I have no idea how many appointments I’ve had with male doctors over the years but I’ve never asked for a chaperone.

Show quote history

I find it baffling how many women on this thread have said ‘well I don’t mind’ type comments. Good for you. That doesn’t mean all women don’t mind, all women are okay without a chaperone, all women would be comfortable with a male practitioner if a chaperone was present etc.

It’s really simple. If you’re happy with a male practitioner with or without a chaperone, good for you.

Not all women are. They’re entitled to ask for single sex care. And the NHS should make that easy for them to do. If it’s not easy it will lead to women not attending appointments due to fear or worry, or women being traumatised when they are unable to speak up to say they’re uncomfortable. Both of those things are clearly bad.

edit for typo

buttnut · 02/07/2024 20:07

PepeParapluie · 02/07/2024 20:03

I find it baffling how many women on this thread have said ‘well I don’t mind’ type comments. Good for you. That doesn’t mean all women don’t mind, all women are okay without a chaperone, all women would be comfortable with a male practitioner if a chaperone was present etc.

It’s really simple. If you’re happy with a male practitioner with or without a chaperone, good for you.

Not all women are. They’re entitled to ask for single sex care. And the NHS should make that easy for them to do. If it’s not easy it will lead to women not attending appointments due to fear or worry, or women being traumatised when they are unable to speak up to say they’re uncomfortable. Both of those things are clearly bad.

edit for typo

Edited

Show quote history

This. I just don’t understand why anyone would have an issue with OTHER WOMEN only wanting female care? What is the problem exactly- who does it hurt?

ItsNotInMyMind · 02/07/2024 20:11

PepeParapluie · 02/07/2024 20:03

I find it baffling how many women on this thread have said ‘well I don’t mind’ type comments. Good for you. That doesn’t mean all women don’t mind, all women are okay without a chaperone, all women would be comfortable with a male practitioner if a chaperone was present etc.

It’s really simple. If you’re happy with a male practitioner with or without a chaperone, good for you.

Not all women are. They’re entitled to ask for single sex care. And the NHS should make that easy for them to do. If it’s not easy it will lead to women not attending appointments due to fear or worry, or women being traumatised when they are unable to speak up to say they’re uncomfortable. Both of those things are clearly bad.

edit for typo

Edited

Show quote history

Not the OP though. OP says they would be happy with a man. So what’s the point of this thread, other than to stir up yet again the trans issue on MN, fuelling the fire (yet again) that MNetters are all transphobic?

334bu · 02/07/2024 20:15

Does this mean that if your medical professional was trans but a chaperone was present, that would be ok?

It is all about consent. If a man who identifies as a woman is doing my smear test I would expect him, just like any other man, to have a female chaperone in the room with him.

ItsNotInMyMind · 02/07/2024 20:17

Zippedeedooda · 02/07/2024 19:59

Well obviously I did.
I always responded with ‘ that’s not a question that’s relevant’ or ‘ you really can’t ask that’.
When I invariably didn’t get the job I always wrote and asked why referencing the question asked and I have spoken and written to the ARB about it on many occasions.

Heres a great example for you
We have to be registered with the ARB to practice. Reg charge is made each year.
I gave birth to twins and because I was signed off early in my pregnancy took more than a year off and got a letter telling me my registration was cancelled as I hadn’t paid my yearly fee. I phoned them to say I was on maternity and was told I’d have to sit an exam and do an interview to re register. My money was one day late and there was no give for women on maternity, nothing! I wouldn’t mind but my office usually paid but decided that year it was a waste as I wasn’t working for them at the time🤯.

Heres another
We have to do yearly CPD to maintain registration. My office booked me into a lecture on roofing. I went along (£250 cost) to find out I wasn’t allowed in as the ARB had booked a mens club for the lecture and no women were allowed. What are they doing using a gentleman’s club for their lectures!

That’s the utter crap some of us have to put up with all the time.

apologies OP for the derail

but I do notice many people have no idea how some industries still take the p…
and constantly get away with it even from their awarding bodies.

Show quote history

You could of course have taken them to a tribunal for alleged discrimination after you were not successful.

iolaus · 02/07/2024 20:19

catin8oots · 02/07/2024 12:57

It's a feminine first name but I know that doesn't mean anything.

I know a male Keri (he's not in health care though so it's not him)

ItsNotInMyMind · 02/07/2024 20:22

334bu · 02/07/2024 20:15

Does this mean that if your medical professional was trans but a chaperone was present, that would be ok?

It is all about consent. If a man who identifies as a woman is doing my smear test I would expect him, just like any other man, to have a female chaperone in the room with him.

IME you’re always asked anyway. I recently had one and the nurse asked me if I’d like one. Pretty sure she’s a woman but it’s not something I look for too closely.

Sadly she was bloody rubbish and I’ve ended up doing an at home one for £55 via Superdrug, but hey ho.

PepeParapluie · 02/07/2024 20:24

ItsNotInMyMind · 02/07/2024 20:11

Not the OP though. OP says they would be happy with a man. So what’s the point of this thread, other than to stir up yet again the trans issue on MN, fuelling the fire (yet again) that MNetters are all transphobic?

Show quote history

The OP wasn’t sure whether the practitioner was male or female. She’s entitled to know that if she wants to. There is nothing wrong with asking.

And see my point above about it should be as easy as possible otherwise women will self exclude - mx is ambiguous and unclear. Even if OP doesn’t actually mind, I don’t think it’s any bad thing if that point is made to the surgery so that women who do mind but are more afraid of asking might get clearer information.

I’m not sure why you’ve leapt to all MNetters being transphobic.

ItsNotInMyMind · 02/07/2024 20:30

PepeParapluie · 02/07/2024 20:24

The OP wasn’t sure whether the practitioner was male or female. She’s entitled to know that if she wants to. There is nothing wrong with asking.

And see my point above about it should be as easy as possible otherwise women will self exclude - mx is ambiguous and unclear. Even if OP doesn’t actually mind, I don’t think it’s any bad thing if that point is made to the surgery so that women who do mind but are more afraid of asking might get clearer information.

I’m not sure why you’ve leapt to all MNetters being transphobic.

Show quote history

I haven’t said they are - I’m saying there’s a general opinion on social media and posts like this aggravate it.

DysonSphere · 02/07/2024 20:37

Rightsraptor · 02/07/2024 13:24

Let's not forget that Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre regards the sex of its staff as confidential medical information and would evade answering your question. If you pushed the point, they'd tell you their service wasn't for you.

Just making my way through the thread.

What in the hell??? They will actually tell vulnerable victims of sexual assault to sod off and go elsewhere for being cautious and worried about biological males in their intimate physical space??

An actual RAPE CRISIS centre?

Themaghag · 02/07/2024 20:37

ItsNotInMyMind · 02/07/2024 19:27

Well I’m glad I didn’t insist the consultant who performed the emergency episiotomy and ventouse delivery during labour was a natural born woman. Time being of the essence somewhat. Thanks to his skills both me and my baby survived 🙃

Sorry, but what has that got to do with anything? Totally different circumstances and I doubt that your consultant called himself Shirley and was prancing around in a frock! Women have the right to know the biological sex of those who are treating them so they can decide if they are happy for an intimate procedure to go ahead or not. And I, for one, certainly wouldn’t want to have a trans identifying male hovering anywhere near my naked nether regions!

ItsNotInMyMind · 02/07/2024 20:43

Themaghag · 02/07/2024 20:37

Sorry, but what has that got to do with anything? Totally different circumstances and I doubt that your consultant called himself Shirley and was prancing around in a frock! Women have the right to know the biological sex of those who are treating them so they can decide if they are happy for an intimate procedure to go ahead or not. And I, for one, certainly wouldn’t want to have a trans identifying male hovering anywhere near my naked nether regions!

Show quote history

Oh dear. “Prancing around in a frock”? What was I just saying about the transphobia reputation……🙄

Fingeronthebutton · 02/07/2024 20:44

Keri is both male and female in the Gaelic language.

LostAllMySocks · 02/07/2024 20:44

OP - I wonder if I could possibly encourage you to think of the staff at the surgery as kind people who are working incredibly hard to meet your needs?

I you do want to contact someone about this it would be okay to contact the practise manager, but please be kind. Please understand that they have thousands upon thousands of people making their individual demands, and only a small number of people to meet those demands.

GP surgeries are small private businesses and they only have a small number of staff to do all the work.

ItsNotInMyMind · 02/07/2024 20:51

DysonSphere · 02/07/2024 20:37

Just making my way through the thread.

What in the hell??? They will actually tell vulnerable victims of sexual assault to sod off and go elsewhere for being cautious and worried about biological males in their intimate physical space??

An actual RAPE CRISIS centre?

Show quote history

It was huge news. They lost a tribunal:

https://www.ercc.scot/statement-from-edinburgh-rape-crisis-centre-board-of-directors/

Statement from Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre Board of Directors - Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre

We are saddened by the outcome of the Tribunal. We will now take time to reflect on the written judgement.We strive to provide a safe accessible and inclusive service and are committed to improving our service. We want to reassure all survivors who ar...

https://www.ercc.scot/statement-from-edinburgh-rape-crisis-centre-board-of-directors

RosesAndHellebores · 02/07/2024 20:52

Dartwarbler · 02/07/2024 16:17

I’m 60 plus now and mum of 3 dc. I’ve had my “fair share” of both men and women giving me intimate exams or procedures.

in my overwhelming experience, the procedure is way quicker, less uncomfortable and I felt way less vulnerable with women doing it. Whether that’s practice nurses, gynae, obstetricians or midwives. Yep, had a few off hand female practioners, but I have not had a women practioner tell me “to pull myself together”, “do you have a particularly low pain threshhold? ” or “you’re making a fuss over nothing”, all of which have been said by male pratictioners after ignoring a ovarian cyst the size of my full term babies head I was carrying at the time, putting in a coil and the very first time I had a smear by an overfamiliar Gp who had already insisted on a breast exam in days when asking for chaperone wasn’t a known thing and taking an unseemly relish about the soap and water process for breast exams. Now I come to think of it I also never had a female doctor tell meat age of 23, when getting my pill prescription renewed in front of Gp, that I really ought to be getting married and having children by now as my fertility would be ending soon if I didn’t watch out.

nah, it is not the same. Yes, if it’s an emergency then I’ll take any qualified practioner , but this isn’t an emergency. yep, you can get a bumber female practioner but not this level of dismissal, arrogance, patronisation and creepiness

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Interesting. I've only ever experienced that level of inappropriate comment from female nurses. The gynaecologists I've dealt with have been unfailingly courteous and polite.

I'll let a lady doctor examine me. Never again shall a lady nurse ever do so.

Blinky21 · 02/07/2024 20:57

If you don't care either way then you were wasting the receptionist's time to prove a point.

nutmeg7 · 02/07/2024 20:57

Londontown12 · 02/07/2024 16:39

Mx is a gender-neutral title used in the same way as gendered titles like 'Miss' and 'Mr' Like the singular 'they', it's used for people who identify as neither male nor female, or people who simply don't want to be identified based on their gender. Just googled it x

Yes, we know that, but they still have a sex, which is what is relevant to many women undergoing intimate examinations.

WeMeetInFairIthilien · 02/07/2024 21:06

FeelingHotHotHotFeelingHotHotHot · 02/07/2024 17:09

Exactly. All this 'Mx' and 'Ms' bolleaux is just daft. Still obvious it's a woman! Or a transgender woman!

As you say, no MAN goes by bloody Mx. How the fuck do you even pronounce it? How silly! 😆

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There is a male Mx teaching assistant at my DD's school

Zippedeedooda · 02/07/2024 21:11

ItsNotInMyMind · 02/07/2024 20:17

You could of course have taken them to a tribunal for alleged discrimination after you were not successful.

Show quote history

Boom
Complete end of my career with zero chance of success, it’s not like I’m the only one applying !
Plus
Absolutely no chance of every being employed again.