Care Opinion

Questions asked at CT scan

Posted By Patqc48

"Questions asked at CT scan"

About: Forth Valley Royal Hospital / Xrays & Scans

(as a service user),

Immersive Reader

I attend CT scans because of a previous ovarian cancer I had. To be asked if I was assigned male or female at birth is just totally degrading and dehumanising.

It's also quite silly considering I was referred by gynaecology and they know this as they mentioned it. I've been told it's now policy to do this but it doesn't happen at every CT scan I've been to.

I feel it is degrading to ask these questions women who are cancer survivors with these ridiculous questions.

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Responses

Response from Jennifer Gilchrist, Radiology Department Manager, Radiology, NHS Forth Valley 4 weeks ago
Jennifer Gilchrist
Radiology Department Manager, Radiology,
NHS Forth Valley

Submitted on 13/03/2025 at 14:54
Published on Care Opinion at 14:54

Immersive Reader

Dear patqc48,

I am very sorry this experience has caused you upset. Due to the Ionising Regulations we must ask all patients this question by law. However, I fully understand your frustrations and upset considering the care pathway you have come through. We are currently working locally on a solution to this so patients like you who are being referred by the Gynaecology Service for imaging n these circumstances do not require to be asked this initial question.

While we must identify the potential for pregnancy status in all our patients before imaging, there is without doubt circumstances where we know it causes upset for some patients. The Radiographers are acutely aware of this upset, and this is what triggered investigations and discussions with our experts regarding an alternative solution in some pathways.

While I am unable to ask the team to not ask this question for now, I hope in the future we are able to make a pragmatic decision regarding who we ask.

Again my apologies for the upset this has caused you.

Best Wishes,

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