The London Upright MRI
The reason I went to the The London Upright (open) MRI, was because I suffer from Claustrophobia and this makes me very anxious.
The staff on duty when I was there, very much 'lacked' any empathy and pleasantness. I did not feel reassured and at all. They made no efforts to put me at my ease.
Unfortunately, I had to go to my appointment alone as I had no family or friends able to join me on that day, and found myself extremely disappointed by the staff working in a place *specifically catering for individuals suffering from anxiety and phobia (enclosed spaces - closed MRI)
A female member of staff offered to come into the MRI room for a couple of minutes, at the beginning to 'calm me down'. However, she spent the entire time *staring at the floor* and made absolutely no effort to speak to me and comfort me.
I also requested that the radiographer indicate to me when we were half way through the longer imaging process, as I was finding it hard to subdue my breathing, so as not to interfere with the results (MRI of my mid-back/chest area) He did not! I was left alone and anxious. (the longer imaging feel quite extensive when cramped and breathing has to remain shallow).
It was overall a very unpleasant experience and I am pretty unimpressed with the staff (and their training!)
If someone is working in a place that specially caters for patients with anxiety, one should either be a natural empath, naturally kind and understanding... or so well trained, you give that impression!
The staff that I saw that day (all 4 of them) lacked very much in interpersonal skills, lacked kindness and were mechanical and insensitive.
Pretty shameful!