Care Opinion

Overcoming barriers for psychosexual input

Posted By Nurse2222

"Overcoming barriers for psychosexual input"

About: Community Sexual Health & Reproductive Services General practices in Tayside

(as a relative),

My partner has recently presented to their GP with some complex and rather sensitive sexual/ reproductive health concerns.  Whilst the GP who has been consulting my partner has been very supportive and helpful in referring us to the psychosexual service/ problem clinic, we have consistently faced barriers to accessing follow up GP appointments and have been left waiting with no news on the progress of the referral.

On phoning Tayside sexual health we were told that the referral had only been received a week ago and they could not advise on waiting times etc, but it won’t be any time soon. Looking at other health boards it would appear waiting times average 6-9 months for similar services.  The way in which we were spoken to by the admin assistant came across as rather dismissive and unhelpful.

We have been attempting to locate alternative/ private health providers for these concerns, but unfortunately are unable to access without a GP referral - in which we have been waiting over 2-3 weeks just to be able to get an appointment to speak to a primary care clinician.  The experience has been very distressing for both my partner and I, as this is something that impacts both emotionally, physically and socially whilst also putting relationships under stress.

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Responses

Response from Victoria Sullivan, Project Manager, Elective Medicine, NHS Tayside nearly 2 years ago
Victoria Sullivan
Project Manager, Elective Medicine,
NHS Tayside

Project manage and facilitate change programmes, transformation and service redesign across Elective Medicine services within NHS Tayside

Submitted on 24/03/2023 at 18:59
Published on Care Opinion on 27/03/2023 at 09:33

picture of Victoria Sullivan

Dear Nurse2222

Thank you for sharing your story and the disappointment and distress you feel about the wait for a referral.

I'm pleased to hear your partner's GP has been so supportive. It's unfortunate and understandably upsetting that a follow-up appointment with the practice has been difficult to secure though. As each GP Practice is an independent business, we would recommend that you feedback your experience directly to the practice. Feedback enables an organisation to reflect, identify areas for improvement and revise any processes as required. The Practice Manager there will be able to let you know about their Complaints and Feedback Policy which will help explain this process.

I hope that the Sexual & Reproductive Health team will be able to provide an indication of the timescale for an appointment there in response to your feedback.

Best wishes

Victoria

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Update posted by Nurse2222 (a relative)

Thank you Victoria for your response.

We have followed up with the Practice who seemed to take the comments made on board. I hope we can also expect to hear from NHS Tayside in relation to their waiting lists and the experience of their list coordinator in Sexual Health.

Thank you again

Response from Claire Black, Admin Team Lead, Sexual and Reproductive Health, NHS Tayside nearly 2 years ago
Claire Black
Admin Team Lead, Sexual and Reproductive Health,
NHS Tayside

Team lead for NHS Tayside Sexual and Reproductive Health Service. Team consists of reception staff, administration staff and secretarial staff

Submitted on 31/03/2023 at 14:40
Published on Care Opinion at 15:00

Dear Nurse2222,

Thank you for your feedback and apologies for the delay in responding.

I am sorry that this has been your experience when contacting our service and if you would like to discuss this with me directly you can contact me via email on tay.tsrhadmin@nhs.scot. (Please be aware that I am out of the office for the next two weeks but will contact you upon my return if you wish.)

Our sexual problems clinic is a specialist clinic and our waiting list time is below the national average and some other areas with approximately a 2 -3 month wait time. (However this can fluctuate and as such I cannot give an exact timescale for appointments.) Your partner should expect to receive a letter within the next few weeks with information regarding the consultation and this is then followed up by an appointment letter.

The Institute of Psychosexual Medicine website https://www.ipm.org.uk has lots of information that may be useful prior to your partner's appointment.

If you would prefer not to contact me directly then please be assured I will speak to all of our admin team to ensure all callers to our service are welcomed and do not feel as you did.

Best wishes,

Claire

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Update posted by Nurse2222 (a relative)

Thank you Claire for your response.

Since my initial post, my partner has again been in touch with the service for an update. When asked about why we had not yet received correspondence from the service, at the very least acknowledging the referral, we were told this should have happened automatically and that a letter would be sent.

We have now received an acknowledgment of the initial referral but are very disheartened to hear that the waiting list is now 4-5 months for first consultation.

Whilst I can understand the pressures on specialist services, it is very disappointing that individuals are being left and made to feel like they are not a priority or important enough to receive support for what is a very distressing health need. It definitely seems as if sexual health needs, treatment and support are not being taken seriously by the health board, despite these needs being a significant part of everyday wellbeing, relationships and psychological health.

Response from Claire Black, Admin Team Lead, Sexual and Reproductive Health, NHS Tayside about a year and a half ago
Claire Black
Admin Team Lead, Sexual and Reproductive Health,
NHS Tayside

Team lead for NHS Tayside Sexual and Reproductive Health Service. Team consists of reception staff, administration staff and secretarial staff

Submitted on 24/05/2023 at 11:06
Published on Care Opinion at 11:06

Dear Nurse2222,

I am sorry that the original letter had not been generated automatically but happy to hear that this has since been sent to your partner.

I have spoken with our Clinical Lead, Integrated Service Manager and the lead for our sexual problems clinic and all would like me to assure you that as well as sexual wellbeing being given greater focus by Tayside Sexual and Reproductive Health Service it is being given greater focus as part of the updated Sexual Health and BBV framework. Indicators are to be introduced which all services will be benchmarked against. Locally we do continue to work to improve our service and reduce our waiting times.

If you or your partner wish to discuss this with me directly you can contact me via email on tay.tsrhadmin@nhs.scot

Best wishes,

Claire

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