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"My partner was treated poorly due to being mask-exempt"

About: Antrim Area Hospital / Ward C2 Maternity care East Antrim

(as a relative),

I feel that the treatment towards my partner from the health service has been nothing less than shocking.

My partner was mask-exempt during the covid pandemic. The midwives and admin staff, not happy with her being mask-exempt, treated her as if she had covid or the plague, very rude toward her also. The staff on the day of the c-section and the antenatal ward were not happy being near her due to not wearing mask as she is exempt.

She then reached out to the mental health midwife during the pregnancy but was offered no help. She was late in receiving antibiotics for an infection in her c-section wound.

Refused entry into the GP practice for a check up with our son. Then she moved practice, to still be not allowed entry due to not wearing a mask, even though being mask-exempt, and also told by receptionist that they refused to speak to her because her surname was different to our son's.

So she removed herself from the GP practice altogether. The GP didn't try to stop this even though she was on the waiting list for the mental health team, which is a complete failure in the duty of care, in my eyes. 

A new health visitor was sent out to the house again due to my partner being mask-exempt. The health visitor told her to stay back from them, even though there was a good bit between them and they were at the front door - the health visitor had no mask on by the way. The health visitor was upset at the attitude (non-existing) shown by my partner, went and reported to the GP even though no longer a registered patient, social services were called for no reason at all.

Had called the mental health team in the hospital due to feeling suicidal, was told by the nurse to ring lifeline instead.

Not being able to attend appointments with either of our children, our daughter's speech and language appointments or vaccinations for either children, due to not being registered with a GP and being mask-exempt. GP also not willing to talk or discuss the children with partner due her not being registered with a GP practice.

Told her problems will go away once registered again with a GP practice. 

Not one person she has spoke to within the health care system believed any of these experiences during COVID 19 were true. Made to feel it was all in her head.

I really hope this is published as this site is for everyone to share their experiences whether good or bad. Reviews good or bad should be published.

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Responses

Response from Louisa Lapworth, Lead Midwife, Maternity Services, Women, Children and Families, NHSCT 10 months ago
Louisa Lapworth
Lead Midwife, Maternity Services, Women, Children and Families,
NHSCT
Submitted on 09/06/2023 at 08:12
Published on Care Opinion at 09:35


Good Morning,

My name is Louisa Lapworth and I am Interim Lead Midwife in Antrim Maternity. I am saddened to hear that you describe some staff attitudes towards your partner as very rude. This is not the care that I would expect for women accessing maternity service.

As you will be aware, Covid guidance changed throughout the pandemic and was decided by community transmission levels and Regional guidance. There were however exemptions and measures in place in relation to those who were mask exempt.

I would be keen to have an opportunity to discuss the detail of your concerns with you. Please do contact me on my mobile below if you would be happy to discuss this further.

I am unable to comment on your concerns relating to other departments within the health service but these will be shared with those areas for a response.

Thank you for taking the time to share your story,

Louisa

07825 106240

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Response from Elizabeth Whyte, Lead Nurse, Public Health Nursing, Paediatrics, Women's Services & Corporate Support, NHSCT 10 months ago
Elizabeth Whyte
Lead Nurse, Public Health Nursing, Paediatrics, Women's Services & Corporate Support,
NHSCT
Submitted on 20/06/2023 at 16:32
Published on Care Opinion at 16:32


picture of Elizabeth Whyte

Dear Andru19

My name is Elizabeth Whyte and I am a Lead nurse in the Public health nursing service.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, I am sorry to read that your partner did not have a positive experience with the health visiting service.

I can confirm that in response to a previous query regarding mask exemptions, information was shared with staff highlighting the importance of being respectful and compassionate towards those who were mask exempt.

I can be contacted via email if you wish to discuss your concerns in more detail elizabeth.whyte@northerntrust.hscni.net.

Best wishes, Elizabeth

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