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Waiting times in antenatal clinic

Posted By Anomz54

"Waiting times in antenatal clinic"

About: Maternity / Maternity Outpatient Department

(as a service user),

I have consistently attended the antenatal clinic over the last number of weeks. The wait is always over one hour plus with no feedback, apology or explanation. 

Today I have been waiting for 2 hours to see a consultant with no feedback or even a simple "clinic is running behind". The most important have waited is 3 hours. 

I understand this happens but from my last pregnancy in 2022 and to the current one this issue has stayed the same. I also logged a complaint in 2022 for the same issue. 

I suggest;

-hire more consultants/advanced practitioners

- be truthful and open about waiting times.

-respect people's time.

- don't overbook your clinics. 

- increase appointment times.

It's not good enough and I am very unhappy with this service. 

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Responses

Response from Clinical Manager Maternity & Gynaecology & Deputy Head of Midwifery, Maternity & Gynaecology Services, South Eastern HSC Trust last month
South Eastern HSC Trust

Submitted on 19/05/2025 at 11:46
Published on Care Opinion at 11:48

Anomz54, thankyou for taking the time to provide feedback on your experience of maternity services. We welcome feedback to help us improve service. I am sorry that your experience has not been as we would have hoped and for the delays you have experienced in the antenatal clinic. While we endeavor to ensure women are seen as close to their scheduled appointment time as possible, delays unfortunately can occur. We try to give all women the time they need at each appointment. While we do respect women having to take time to attend a clinic appointment, on occasion, they may receive difficult news or a diagnosis which requires more time to support them and manage this than the initial scheduled appointment slot. This can result in delays to subsequent appointments and I acknowledge the impact that can have on the time that is spent waiting to be seen.

We continually review our staffing and scheduling to try to ensure safe, effective and timely delivery of service but I am sorry that this has not been your experience.

I have spoken to the antenatal clinic team today and asked them to be attentive to any delays in the clinic and ensure that women are kept informed.

I have taken on board your suggestions for an improved service and while, some of these are not easily enacted, I will explore how we can improve communication and information for women attending the antenatal clinic.

Zoe Meneilly

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