“Doctors in England will be given mandatory training to better treat female medical conditions under wider plans to improve women’s health.”
— Taken from the BBC News article, “Women’s health: Plan to stop ‘sexist’ NHS treatment,” July 20, 2022.
No sex please, I’m having an aneurysm
His pointy little shoes were judging me
Doctor doctor in the A&E
I was approaching orgasm I told him
when it happened
having sex, I added
in case he thought this old woman
was fingering herself
when the headache began.
I felt the needle penetrate
displacing lumbar fluid
a tugging and a pulling
in expert female hands.
Later an older chap
With sad hooded eyes
a blood spot on his coat
discharged me saying
the tests were clear,
It’s usually the man
we worry about
he remarked
in these cases
but I am not a man
I protested
It is not about him
It is about ME.
Was he on viagra?
he asked.
When I complained
the lady doctor told me
It’s not the first time
a woman felt
dismissed
invisible
disregarded
ignored
of no account.
But no aneurysm
so alls good I guess
Doctor doctor in the NHS.
.
Stink Eye Magazine 