Trigger Warning: This website article includes reference to assault and medical trauma.

Care is the experience of being treated as a whole person, not just a condition or procedure.  

For many people, screening procedures like colonoscopies and gastroscopies are routine. For others, they can cause great anxiety and fear. Medical settings, physical exposure and sedation can past trauma to the surface.

At Kensington Health, affirming and trauma informed care helps ensure that patients feel safe, respected, and seen as a whole person.

For one patient, that approach made all the difference.

Referred for a colonoscopy and gastroscopy after ongoing health concerns, N.C. arrived at the Gastroenterology Program at Kensington Health feeling nervous and uncertain. As a survivor of assault who also spent significant time in hospitals as a child, medical procedures have long been a source of deep fear and anxiety.

“Anything involving my body where I don’t have control, brings up a lot for me,” N.C. shared. “I was anxious about the procedure, the sedation and the unknown.”

When she stepped into the clinic, those fears hadn’t disappeared – but the environment helped soften them.

“The clinic was busy, but it didn’t feel chaotic,” she recalled. “The waiting room had this beautiful view of trees, seeing some nature was calming.”

When a team member greeted her and walked her through the procedure and the steps the team would take, she started to feel at ease. “She was so warm and happy. Just genuinely kind. And I remember thinking, okay, that actually makes me feel a lot better.”

As N.C. moved through the space, each interaction reinforced that sense of safety. As she was brought into the procedure room, she remembers the nurse’s bright eyes and cheerful attitude, and how the nurse took time to explain next steps and invited questions without rushing.

As the anaesthesiologist prepared her for sedation, N.C. spoke up. “I said, this might sound silly, but I need you to say that you see me as a person. And the way the physician’s face softened, I could cry just thinking about it. It felt like he really saw me.”

Our team believes patients should not need to disclose their trauma to receive sensitive and individualized care. As Jill, Director, Gastroenterology Program at Kensington Health, emphasized, “The team focuses on creating an environment where all patients feel safe, informed and supported, regardless of their history and experiences.”

When N.C. woke up, she felt unexpectedly light. “Honestly, I felt like I’d gone on vacation for the day,” she laughed, describing how relaxed she felt.

The care team reviewed the results, continued to check in, briefed her partner and ensured she had everything she needed before heading home. She noted, “beyond the great care, even the accessible parking and smooth discharge process was incredible. I felt cared for from start to finish.”

Kensington Health serves a diverse community, and trauma-informed care is a key part of its equity, diversity and inclusion commitment. By recognizing that many people across identities and backgrounds carry past medical or personal trauma, the clinic works to reduce barriers, honour individual needs and treat every patient with dignity.

N.C. hopes her story provides some comfort for other patients who are facing similar anxieties before their appointments. “[At Gastroenterology Program at Kensington Health], I felt safe. I felt seen. And that changed everything.”

Regular screenings lead to early diagnosis and better prognosis. If you feel nervous or unsure, you are encouraged to speak openly with the team, ask questions, and share what helps you feel comfortable. At Kensington Health, you do not have to be brave alone. 

Learn more at: Endoscopy Screening Clinic