barium test

[Connemmara]

Hi - my friend went for a barium test - the one up your bottom last Friday. Anyway I have had one done and they strapped me up from top to bottom. However my friend had a dreadful experience where she was lying on a table the width of an ironing board and not strapped up. No compassion from anybody nurses, radiologist. Anyway they told her to put her knees up to her chest (she is pretty fit) and the hose came out of her bottom and the stuff went all over her legs and everywhere. They then told her to go in and get dried up (no towel) and they would do it all again. She had asked about the straps and they told her "no money for straps" - how about that.

[sqad617]

Make a written complaint to the Medical Director of the hospital. That treatment is unacceptable.

[chinadog]

Thats awful and humiliating for your friend Conne, I had a Barium Enema and was treated with dignity plus a bit of giggling from me when they inflated my stomach. Im with squad on this complain,complain,complain!!

[Eve]

That's awful, bless her!

I've only had two of the drinking ones and never had to have an up one but I'd feel awful if that happened.

The staff were both brilliant both times I've had one and for my colonoscopy and camera down as well.

It not a pleasant thing but the conduct of the staff can make a huge difference, I'm so sorry your friend didn't have that.

[blackcat77]

Your poor friend - I agree with sqad - I think that she shoould definitely make a complaint; her experience was unacceptable. I hope that she's ok now.

[Nannyjill]

I agree with squad too.

They are supposed to follow a code of conduct and have a duty of care to their patients.

If she gets no response she should ask for a meeting with the director but I hope it won't go that far. It's humiliating enough whithout that happening.

[compugran]

That`s disgusting treatment.
I had a colonoscopy about ten years ago, it was very painful, but when I told them I couldn`t stand it they put extra sedative into the tube I had in my arm, and it was ok. from there, in fact I couldn`t remember the rest of the test from then.
I think your friend should complain about the treatment.

[Connemmara]

I rate all your answers 3 stars but forgot to tell you that they said "you know if and when you need to pass this barium you need to buy laxatives cos we have none here". Unbelievable as you say. This happened last Friday and I dont believe she has answered her phone or came out only to go to her 3 hourly work and back. The experience has set her back. I am going to advise to write to the BMA.

Thanks for all replies.

[sqad617]

BMA will not be interested...write to Medical Director or the Chief Execurive of the hospital. Also you MP might be interested(providing he's not New Labour)

[FUZZYBEE]

First and foremost write to the Superintendant of the Radiology dept or the clinical director of the Radiology dept. Each directorate is responsible for the stuff that goes on in their area. Also try and include the date and appointment time as all Radiographers are required by law to account for the radiation dose and the other staff present on teh computerised records, so you will be able to pinpoint exactly who performed the proceedure. It may be worth including a letter to the PALS team ( patient liason) as they will look at complaint individually. They are impartial and will not fob you off and try to cover it up.