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I felt like I was being blamed

Posted By HCMC

"I felt like I was being blamed"

About: Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Maternity care

(as a service user),

Throughout both my first and second pregnancy I had Gestational Diabetes, I was seen by the team at Altnagelvin hospital.

I found the staff that I interacted with extremely judgemental and their attitude played a huge part in being very detrimental to my mental health throughout my pregnancy.

No matter what I had or hadn’t done it felt like they found fault with me and what I was doing rather than being reassuring and trying to help.

I felt I was always being blamed and made to feel that I was the problem rather than the diabetes being at fault. 

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Responses

Response from Shonagh Clifford, Lead midwife, Maternity Services Altnagelvin Hospital, WHSCT 8 months ago
Shonagh Clifford
Lead midwife, Maternity Services Altnagelvin Hospital,
WHSCT

Submitted on 29/10/2024 at 13:07
Published on Care Opinion at 13:07

Hi HCMC,

I am sorry that you felt this way about your care throughout both of your pregnancies and that this has negatively impacted your mental health.

Could I ask that you be more specific as to which staff group this was so that a deeper understanding standing is gained to address your issue. This is very important so that any learning and improvement within the service can be shared appropriately.

As a ward manager of Delivery suite, my responsibility lies with the midwifery staff within this ward only who would have cared for you at the time of both your babies birth. I can only apologise that you had this experience and if you feel any specific learning is needed for my team in delivery suite I am very open to having a conversation with you either over the phone or in person.

Kind regards,

Shonagh Clifford

Delivery suite manager

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by HCMC (a service user)

It was my antenatal care with the diabetes team I feel is responsible.

My care prior to giving birth was fantastic, post natally if you are ready for discharge they don’t provide any pain relief during the wait for discharge.

My experience on the wards was mostly positive but antenatal diabetes clinic needs some serious changes based on my experiences.

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