"Colonoscopy at the Royal Free"

I attended for a fourth colonoscopy at the Royal Free Hospital London NW3 on late January 2007. I had no problems with my previous colonoscopy proceedures.

A Sister took good care of me when I attended. I undressed and put on my gown.

I met the doctor who was attended me. He checked my consent form and indicated the chance of a perforation of the intestine during the proceedure, But nothing else. He injected a canula into a prominent vein in my right hand and bent the needle. He informed the attending nurses that the medication would still enter the vein.

I awoke during the proceedure with acute pain in my anus. I have quite a high pain threshhold. I flexed my butocks for quite some time and eventually some Pethidine must have been administered to me.

In the recovery ward with two other patients we asked to see the doctor but were informed he was at lunch. I met one of the nurses who was attending at the reception and was informed that no polyps were found. This was wrong as when I attended the hospital a week later I was told by the doctor some " tissue " had been removed and the polyps were benign. I asked him to inform my GP and the managers of the hospital of my problems during the procedure. This was not done.

I must add at this time I have never complained of any treatment in the NHS ever before.