If we become concerned about you or anyone else while using one of our services, we will act in line with our safeguarding policy and procedures. This may involve sharing this information with relevant authorities to ensure we comply with our policies and legal obligations.
Find out how to let us know if you're concerned about another member's safety.
Find out how to let us know if you're concerned about another member's safety.
Locked out of sexual health services
Options
Adrian_Scope
Posts: 10,971 Scope online community team
As part of Sexual Health Awareness Week, Sophie Gallagher of HuffPost speaks to 3 Women On Being 'Locked Out' Of Sexual Health Services Due To Their Disability
Kym Oliver, 33, from south London has had her fair share of bad sexual health appointments. There was the time, aged 20, when her legs were hoisted into stirrups and the nurse left the room – with no explanation – before returning with a male consultant and five junior doctors. Without greeting Oliver, they started discussing the tilted position of her cervix. “I felt like a curiosity in a museum,” she says. Although she left that checkup with a “bad taste in her mouth”, she had at least been able to access the service. It was only when she suddenly developed multiple sclerosis five years later, and became a full-time wheelchair user, that she saw how inaccessible sexual health services in the UK are for disabled people.Have you been prevented from accessing sexual health services? What would help you access what you need?
HuffPost
Community Manager
Scope
Scope
Comments
-
Yes, my mammograms are extremely painful and difficult to complete. I am a wheelchair user too and the machinery is definitely NOT wheelchair friendly.
In fact I was so distressed by my last mammogram that I dont want to go again.
I discussed this with the ladies performing the procedure and they said she had heard this before and if I wasnt going to attend for future appointments, then I should be breast aware and check myself.
But isnt this a cop out for them? Thousands of women could be similarly affected. -
Is Scope going to voice our concerns about this for us? Can we start a petition or something?
Brightness
Categories
- All Categories
- 13K Start here and say hello!
- 6.6K Coffee lounge
- 104 Games lounge
- 416 Cost of living
- 4.3K Disability rights and campaigning
- 1.9K Research and opportunities
- 199 Community updates
- 9.3K Talk about your situation
- 2.1K Children, parents, and families
- 1.6K Work and employment
- 776 Education
- 1.7K Housing and independent living
- 1.4K Aids, adaptations, and equipment
- 615 Dating, sex, and relationships
- 363 Exercise and accessible facilities
- 737 Transport and travel
- 31.5K Talk about money
- 4.3K Benefits and financial support
- 5.2K Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- 17.1K PIP, DLA, and AA
- 4.9K Universal Credit (UC)
- 6.3K Talk about your impairment
- 1.8K Cerebral palsy
- 868 Chronic pain and pain management
- 180 Physical and neurological impairments
- 1.1K Autism and neurodiversity
- 1.2K Mental health and wellbeing
- 319 Sensory impairments
- 824 Rare, invisible, and undiagnosed conditions
Complete our feedback form and tell us how we can make the community better.