A local patient has detailed a distressing experience at Warrington Hospital after attending A&E in late June with severe pain, bleeding and clotting. The woman—aged 29—said she was examined by a gynaecology clinician who, she claims, asked to use the torch on her mobile phone to look during an intimate examination.
Allegations of poor practice and lack of equipment
The patient told InfoRadar that the clinician used no lubrication during the examination and repeatedly minimised her distress. She said the doctor made remarks she found upsetting, including questions about her emotional state while she was being told she had most likely had a miscarriage.
"Can I use the torch on your phone to examine you?"
She also said the same clinician later entered for a follow-up scan the next day and conveyed that she was "not pregnant," which the patient described as devastating after being told previously that a miscarriage was likely.
Local implications and what we know
The woman raised multiple concerns: the apparent absence of appropriate clinical equipment at the time of examination, lack of lubrication during a sensitive procedure, and communication that she found dismissive. She said staff did not provide the support she expected after being informed of a probable pregnancy loss and that a request to keep her in for observation related to seizures was declined.
- When: End of June — initial A&E attendance and examination
- Follow-up: Next day scan confirmed likely chemical pregnancy or miscarriage
- Location: Warrington Hospital (Lovely Lane site)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| End of June | Presented to A&E with severe pain, bleeding and clotting; gynaecology exam carried out |
| Following day | Scan confirmed likely chemical pregnancy or miscarriage |
Report of clinical practice that uses improvised lighting and omits routine items such as lubrication will be of concern to patients and campaigners for patient dignity and safety. The patient told InfoRadar she felt treated as "less of a human and more of an inconvenience," and that the encounter left her horrified.
What patients should expect and next steps
Patients attending gynaecology and A&E services have a reasonable expectation of being seen with appropriate equipment and to be treated with sensitivity, particularly where pregnancy loss is suspected. The account highlights wider questions about training, availability of equipment at time-critical moments, and staff communication.
InfoRadar has approached the hospital trust for comment and to confirm whether a formal complaint has been received or if any investigation is under way. Local health watchdogs and the trust's patient liaison services are the usual routes for patients wishing to raise concerns.
Until the trust responds, this account stands as a first-hand report from a Warrington resident and underlines the importance of clear explanations, proper kit and compassionate care in acute settings.
