Why are the Asian/Muslim people being given priority?

[Bbbananas]

I have not posted this question to deliberately provoke racist comments or suchlike, but I have just tried to get a patient an NHS appnt, specifically with a female gynaecologist at her request. She has good reasons for this request. I was told she would have to see a male because they "have to take into consideration the Asians, so the female gynae consultant appointments are reserved (unofficially of course) for them". I find this a pretty horrendous state of affairs. Women specifically requesting female surgeons should all be given the same consideration surely; no matter what their skin colour, race, creed, religion etc. Imagine if this situation were reversed "Oh well, we save all the male consultants/ female consultants/ best consultants (delete as applicable) for white women?

Like I said, don't let's just turn this thread into a racist rant, but am I alone in being appalled? I suspect not.

[Bbbananas]

...and so do I. But, sorry, I'm chicken - I need my job too much to be the one to 'make the call'. I wish I had the balls to - it should be reported I agree, but I am a single woman with a single income & I know who would come off the worse if I did report it..... me.

[luxury]

I had my GP write the request for a female, followed by a personal letter.

It was rode over rough shod.

I hope this patient has state of mind to make sure it's in writing.

otherwise???..... lawyers get involved... and that's really not good....

[Bbbananas]

The patient can specifically request a female consultant, the GP can then indeed specify a female consultant - either generically or a named consultant - that is, as you found out luxury, still no guarantee whatsoever that once at the out patient clinic the patient will actually see a female, despite any requests or assurances.

(Unless of course, that patient goes down the private route - but that's quite another story. It should not be that way).

[CrazyCathy]

A couple of years ago a very close friend of mine was raped and when she later had to go to the hospital for a consultation (not connected to the rape) she'd requested a female and was told yes. When we arrived she was shown into the room and a young guy came along and when she explained the situation he said well your friend is in here so that won't happen.

Didn't want to know or understand the way she was feeling, luckily for her I have a big mouth and demanded that the female gyni who was in a room a few doors saw her which she did,although I have to say she wasn't too happy.