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Awful Postnatal check appointment

Story from nhs.uk

"Awful Postnatal check appointment "

About: The Spitalfields Practice

I had a telephone appointment with a doctor who isn't my usual gp. A postnatal check after having a baby, and I am a first time mum. The call lasted only 5 minutes.

The doctor called, said their name and first question was 'did you have a normal birth?'. Not even how are you etc. This was followed by a bunch of other questions, a tick box exercise. Was very rushed.

The worst part was when i was asked or rather told "you dont have depression or anything do you?" What sort of questioning is this. If I did, I wouldn't just say "yes, I do have depression" I've been made to feel that it's not normal for me to feel depressed post birth. And the way I was asked just doesn't make me comfortable to say the truth, like it's a joke. Perhaps try asking a patient "how are you feeling after having a baby?" Maybe they'll open up and say how it's been.

My journey to having a baby at the hospital has been a very traumatic experience. The journey after has also been difficult. You'd think at the postnatal check appointment with my gp I'd be able to talk about it and get some support or pointed to the right direction.

Doctors doing postnatal appointments should take a bit more time and care when talking to their patients, not make them feel like a number, doing a tick box exercise. This appointment didn't feel like it was for me but rather for the doctor and fornthe doctor to be able to say "I've done it"

Also, these appointments should ideally be face to face and not over the phone.

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Responses

Response from The Spitalfields Practice 11 months ago
The Spitalfields Practice

Submitted on 16/07/2024 at 13:47
Published on nhs.uk at 13:47

Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding your recent postnatal telephone appointment. I am truly sorry to hear about your disappointing experience, especially during such a significant and sensitive time as a first-time mum. Your concerns are very important to us, and I would like to address them comprehensively.

Firstly, I apologise for the rushed nature of your appointment and the manner in which the questions were asked. It is essential that postnatal checks are conducted with empathy, care, and thoroughness. Your feedback highlights areas where we need to improve, particularly in how we communicate and support new mothers.

I am sorry to hear that you felt uncomfortable discussing your mental health. It is crucial that our patients feel safe and supported when sharing their feelings, especially regarding postnatal depression. We will review our approach to ensure that our questions are more open-ended and supportive, allowing patients to express themselves freely.

Your suggestion to ask "how are you feeling after having a baby?" is valuable and will be taken into consideration for future consultations. We want to ensure that every new mother feels heard and supported during their postnatal check.

I also acknowledge your preference for face-to-face appointments. While telephone consultations have become more common, especially during the pandemic, we recognise that they may not be suitable for all situations. We will explore ways to offer more face-to-face appointments for postnatal checks to provide a more personal and supportive experience.

Your feedback will be shared with our clinical team to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our patients effectively. If you would like to discuss your concerns further or need additional support, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Thank you again for bringing these issues to our attention. We are dedicated to improving our services and providing the best possible care for our patients, especially new mothers.

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