My local NHS Trust has put its head above the parapet (edited by MNHQ @ request of the OP)

[FatLarrysBanned]

Trust - have asked MN to edit title

I've no idea if this notice precedes the ruling last week, but went for my first breast screening today and this was on the door. And outside means literally outside the building, not in the reception area.

Is space limited so that women are having to cross reception in hospital gowns?

No, it's purely a screening clinic. No treatment being carried out, or moving from room to room. Go in and out fully clothed. I can take my mum in but not my husband (if I had one).

interesting....

It only refers to companions, not patients, so presumably the men with boobs from taking hormones (or indeed hormone imbalances/DSDs) can still come along to their appointments (with a female companion, or none). Would there be a male nurse doing the scan in that case?

Seems stupid, I would want my husband in there. If women aren't topless what is the issue?
I fully believe in private female spaces but I don't get this at all.

Breast screening is not currently offered to males ( less than. 1 %oc b cancers are in men).

There are also no male radiographers for screening but I believe there are in breast clinics for recalled and symptomatic patients in some places.

My breast screening unit had a sign like that a couple of years ago. It was caravan type of unit

I presume for the same reason that I close the cubical door when I'm having a wee, but I still don't want a man hanging around the basins. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Conxis Not a mobile unit, but a proper building, so space not an issue, if it was they would say "no companions" I suppose.

In our hospital there's a waiting room for general radiography then from there you have to go alone to the breast bit where there's a further waiting room.
I've seen a mix of male and female sonographers and always a male consultant.

Why on earth would you want your husband there? In my 20 years of breast screenings, in different parts of the country, I’ve never seen a man there, nor felt any need for my husband to tag along. Space is usually limited. If you are disabled then that’s a different issue and accommodations can be made

I don't think you can do mammograms on men - you need something to insert into he scanner.

Derriford? That's interesting.

I've seen a fair amount of posts on mumsnet about waiting rooms in hospitals. Men taking up all the chairs whilst women are made to stand. So it might be that. Be nice to think they were taking a stand tho.

Sorry, I hope it was OK to suggest which hospital it was. If not, please delete the previous post.

Having experienced the full range of cancer appointments, I have never felt the need for company at a routine mammogram.

However, it's odd to allow a female companion into the waiting room but not a male companion.

IME it's really normal for husbands/partners/other male family members to accompany women if they are called back to clinic for a follow up screening.

No, the breast screening place on Notte Street.

My breast screening is always done in a mobile van type of thing. They have fortunately, always had a sign like this on the door.

My local breast clinic has never admitted males, they held firm to this. All staff are female.

There is a sign similar to the one in the OP up on the outermost door and in reception area too.

When you say breast clinic do you mean place you go for mammograms or place where you might receive the news that you have cancer?

Bizarre thinking that women being denied support in an appointment where they might get news of suspected cancer (or depending on the type of breast clinics an actual diagnosis) is somehow a victory for women.

Also strange that so many people don’t realise that men can get breast cancer too and will usually be referred to the same breast clinics.

Apart from during covid I’ve always had screening in mobile units. Although I’ve never had a problem, I’ve felt vulnerable at times, especially in my first couple of appointments, wondering, once topless, if the radiographer who called me through might be male. I think that many women feel vulnerable when they are exposed.
I agree that no “companions” should be allowed in, not just male companions, unless needed because of a disability.
i was once recalled to a regional hospital for a re-screen/biopsy, I went alone as my husband was working away, there were no men in the waiting room. I saw a male consultant radiographer but with a nurse chaperone. I felt safe.

Screening centres don't do that.

Wow, that's good.

Our local hospital allows men into the hysteroscopy clinic, where they are about as much use as a chocolate teapot and far, far less welcome. 😡

You don’t get a diagnosis at a screening clinic

We haven't clarified the nature of the clinic, but as I said before, the kind of routine scan where your breast gets squeezed into the scanner isn't suitable for men because not enough breast tissue.