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"Hysteroscopy"

About: Birmingham Women's Hospital / Gynaecology

(as a service user),

In November 2016 I had an Hysteroscopy done in OP at The Birmingham Womens Hospital.  I felt anxious and scared. 

On the day of the procedure I pleaded with the gynaecologist to let me have the procedure done under a general anaesthetic as it had been noted that I had cervical stenosis  and I had heard that this can make the procedure very painful for postmenopausal women.  I was almost in tears, extremely nervous and visibly shaking, but I was told by the gynaecologist that GA wasn't really used any more for this procedure as more modern methods were used nowadays in outpatients, and we should go ahead and see how things worked out.  I said I really didn't want to have it done without a GA, but was lead to believe that OP procedure was the only option and it was really nothing to worry about.  I felt like I was being a baby as I was told that they saw many women who didn't have any problem with it. 

I was asked to sign a consent form 5 minutes before the procedure was done. The procedure was  extremely painful and so I was given local anaesthetic, also extremely painful.  The gynaecologist said to the nurse afterwards, I dont think Ive ever seen anyone shake like that.   I dont think my concerns were heard before, during, or after the procedure.  I would never return to this hospital for any gynaecological issues. I have since discovered that 1 in 4 women experience severe pain with this OP procedure so why was I not being informed of this and offered the choice of GA, and furthermore why was I denied it when I asked for it.

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Responses

Response from Patient Experience Facilitator, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust 5 years ago
Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Submitted on 26/02/2020 at 11:26
Published on Care Opinion at 11:26


Thank you for taking the time to have shared about your experience at Birmingham Women's Hospital, though we are sorry in the delay to our response, and that you felt your procedure was not explained well, and that you did not receive appropriate support.

In 2016, the option of having the procedure done under GA was still available along with the option of pain relief which is currently still available today. We appreciate that the procedure was painful to the patient and we are sorry for that.

At the present time we have very detailed patient information leaflets for pre and post hysteroscopy procedure, explaining the options of GA and LA along with the pain relief available. The hysteroscopy waiting room has information as a sign post that at any time the patient can change their mind If pain is intolerable.

If you would like to discuss your experience in further detail please do not hesitate to contact our PALS team on 0121 333 8403 or via email on bwc.pals@nhs.net and they would be happy to speak with you.

Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.

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