"Midwife 'Hotline'"

For the second time in my pregnancy i have needed some advice and have been left not knowing where to go accept MAU to sit for hours. 

I have concerns re Gestational Diabetes i wanted to discuss with the midwife, I rang their office but was advised they are South Eastern trust (as per my address) but as i am booked for birth in RVH, my Glucose Test is Belfast Trust so there is nothing they can do.

They provided the number for the midwife hotline, which should really be called the coldline. I let the phone ring for 15 mins before it was finally answered by a staff member who seemed totally disinterested and asked if i was in pain, i said no and they hung up. I tried to ring back but the call continued to be disconnected. I spoke with the midwife again who said the only option was to present to MAU.

Personally i feel making pregnant women sit in MAU for a minimum of 3 hours for advice totally unacceptable, in addition it seems like a waste of time and resources on the trusts part too. As i mentioned, previously i wanted some advice and tried to contact the 'hotline', i rang at least 12 times that day and no one answered, i ended up sitting in MAU for 4 hours and felt terrible as the poor doctor was run off her feet and it was something that definitely could of been addressed in a quick call, again the MAU is where midwives directed me to.