"The ward appears to be significantly understaffed"

If I were to have a baby again, the thought of potentially recovering at Ashgrove Ward makes me anxious.

From speaking to friends who have also had the unfortunate experience of recovering there, with one example being very recent, I understand my experience is not unique.

The ward appears to be significantly understaffed. Although new mother are encouraged to use the buzzer for assistance, the response from staff is often delayed or reluctant. When help does arrive, staff frequently seem eager to leaver as quickly as possible, resulting in patients feeling like a burden rather than individuals in need of care. For a ward responsible for supporting women in such a vulnerable period, this lack of empathy and attentiveness is deeply concerning. 

In the sensitive time following childbirth, when mothers are recovering physically and emotionally while also caring for their newborns, the least that the Trust could do is allow at least one relative to stay and provide support. Being completely numb from the waist down, with no support a buzzer that is ineffective, left me feeling helpless. The absence of compassionate, proactive care at that time felt cruel. Had I been recovering from a C-section, like my friend was, the lack of assistance could have constituted negligence. 

In my case, I had gestational diabetes. My baby became hypoglycemic - a situation I believe resulted directly from the poor standard of care and lack of guidance provided by staff. I repeatedly asked about appropriate amount of milk my baby should be consuming but was told that it was normal for newborns to feed little in the early days. This maybe true but not all babies have the same needs, which they as health professionals should know. Despite my repeated efforts to breastfeed and to express colostrum by hand, my baby remained unsettled. I was never offered a breast pump or adequate breastfeeding support, both of which could have made a significant difference. 

On the second day, after several delayed or missed glucose checks, the neonatal team visited. When they asked how much milk my baby had been taking and I told them it was mostly 4-5ml of colostrum, their reaction said it all. They immediately provided me with a breast pump, and I expressed approximately 50ml of breastmilk, which my baby drank within minutes. It became painfully clear that my baby had been starving due to a lack of proper monitoring and intervention on the ward. It confirmed that my concerns as a mother were not being taken seriously.

Following the neonatal team's intervention, my baby began taking 75ml every 3 hours. Less than 5 hours later, she again became hypoglycemic and was moved to neonatal observation and care. It was evident that the staff in the neonatal unit recognised that my baby had not received the attention or support she needed while on the ward. 

I will never forget the night when my baby was transferred to neonatal. The nurse on duty in the Transition Ward informed me of the decision in a cold and unempathetic manner, offering no comfort or reassurance despite witnessing my distress. In contrast, the neonatal staff were compassionate and supportive, guiding me through what was extremely traumatic experience.  

I want to express my gratitude to the neonatal team for their professionalism and empathy. However, my experience on Ashgrove Ward raises serious concerns about patient safety, clinical oversight and the emotional wellbeing of mothers and babies in their care. No new mother should feel neglected, dismissed or unsupported at such a critical time. 

I would not wish this experience on anyone, and I urge the Trust to review the staffing levels, training and culture to ensure that no other mother and baby have to endure what we went through. 

Allowing at least one relative to stay overnight to support new mothers would make a significant difference to both patient safety and emotional wellbeing. Many NHS Trusts across England already permit this, and it would also help alleviate some of the staffing pressures currently affecting the ward. Why is this not an option?

I look forward to hearing from you and understanding changes you are going to implement.