"Wonderful professionals let down by staffing levels and poor facilities"

I gave birth to my baby in June at the QEUH. Looking back I am overall really grateful to the midwives and staff who cared for me and my baby. However it was clear to me that urgent investment in staffing and facilities is needed to enable these wonderful professionals to do their job.

On the birth itself - My midwife Rachel was absolutely fantastic, I felt really well supported, listened to and cared for on labour ward through the birth and afterwards. All other staff were also great. A big thank you to Rachel and the rest of the team.

We ended up spending a few days on postnatal ward afterwards. On the whole this was also positive. Most midwives, doctors, health care assistants and students went out of their way to be friendly and helpful, even though the ward was very busy. A particular thank you to Karen for her warmth and personalised care. 

Having focussed on the (many) positives, there were some less positive aspects to my stay. These entirely relate to how very busy the department is and how overstretched staff often are. During my stay there were a couple of instances where pressures relating to understaffing and underinvestment were obvious.

First, it had been recommended that my labour be induced on medical grounds. I was admitted to the antenatal ward at 4pm on the Thursday. Nothing medical actually happened until well into the evening as the induction process was so backlogged. I was just waiting around until 8.30pm when I could have been at home in a restful environment. 

The next morning after little sleep I was cleared to go to labour ward, however there was a queue of at least 9 others ahead of me. There were other women on the ward who had been there for several days waiting to be taken to labour ward. They had spent multiple nights on the ward losing sleep and generally feeling frustrated, uncomfortable and exhausted. This led to a tense and stressed atmosphere.

As it was my labour progressed very quickly on its own so this wasn't my situation. However communication during my first stage of labour on antenatal ward was sparse. There were often times during this stage where I didn't know what the plan was or how far along I was, and felt uninformed and unsure of how/whether to advocate for myself. I ended up quite far into my labour still on antenatal ward, with my waters breaking spontaneously, and proceeding to labour loudly for about an hour on the ward. The close quarters meant there was not much dignity for me during this, and it must have been totally unsettling for the other women to have to listen to. I should have been in labour ward for this but there was not capacity yet.

This is clearly a staffing and resources issue and not the fault of the excellent midwives who when they are able to get to you are doing a great job. They were obviously very stretched and doing their utmost best. I feel more staff on antenatal ward is essential to allow more hands-on care and better communication during what was a bewildering time or me, and I'm sure for many others. 

While I mentioned a largely positive experience on postnatal ward, staffing pressure was also obvious. I gave birth on a Friday night and following this, aspects of care necessary for my discharge were delayed due to personnel levels being lower at the weekend meaning I spent longer in hospital than necessary.

As well as an urgent investment in staffing levels, I feel a long term strategy to upgrade the building itself is needed. Women must be offered more privacy especially during labour, and for those spending multiple nights pre or postnatally. Staff also deserve to work in a more modern, comfortable and fit-for-purpose setting.

I believe that this underinvestment in one of the most important healthcare services accessed (and primarily staffed) by women, points towards unacceptable gender inequality within the healthcare system generally, and it's high time women's health was prioritised in spending decisions at all levels.

 One last big thank you to all the amazing individuals involved in our care in difficult circumstances - I'll always remember your kindness, compassion and care towards me and my baby.