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Midwife from hell

Posted By Imelda1

"Midwife from hell"

About: Tameside General Hospital / Maternity care

(as the patient),

Having Fractured my Coccyx at 8 mnths my midwife explained that an epidural during labour may be unavoidable. (second child 1st baby premature)

My waters broke and arrived at hospital lucky enough to see my midwife who offered me pain relief but I refused as I wanted to go on a little longer walking around. My midwife went home after shift ...enter the midwife from hell...foul mouth and should have chosen diff vocation.

She walked into the room tutted at me and in front of my husband ordered me off the bed and said that if she were here when I arrived id have been sent home...took gas and air....made me walk to birth pool...ignored birth plan and gave me pethadine...did not read notes about fracture....stood in between my legs with another midwife using inappropriate language and saying "she wants an epi and she cant have one" my husband was mortified, helpless and embarassed.

I finally got my "epi" with the disgruntled midwife looking on and laughing at my ability to not swear but say "oh goodness " with each contraction.

I was a trainee Barrister at the time aged 29 and my husband aged 34. I already had a child but I was spoken to like a naughty inept school girl. I had a fracture which would obviously cause resistance in my pushing during labour but this midwife had no concern for me nor did she read my notes.....she shouted, spoke down to me and then disapeard as soon as my daughter was born....her focus on delivering me with no pain relief in the pool was sickening to the point of dangerous ....

the nightmare continued on the ward .....rude staff....blood covered toilets...unprofessional comments......

i will never attend this hospital again.

I have considered writing a personal letter to this women to discribe just how awful she made my experience but I know she wouldnt care. Please ensure no other women or girls are treated this way.

i am now pregnant with my third and am terrified about my labour due to this women.......people should not have to pay privately to get caring staff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Responses

Response from Tameside Hospital Foundation Trust 15 years ago
Tameside Hospital Foundation Trust

Submitted on 27/05/2009 at 13:56
Published on Care Opinion at 01:00

I must apologise for the experiences that you describe in your patient opinion posting. At Tameside we do not tolerate rudeness, poor attitude or inappropriate behavior from any member of staff. I would like to reassure you that when the behavior of staff is called into question and substantiated, we deal with the individual accordingly. The disciplinary procedure is instigated and a remedial action plan is put into place to address any shortfalls in the individual’s behavior. This is then monitored very closely by the clinical managers and supervisors of midwives.

With regard to the cleanliness of the postnatal ward, staff do continuously monitor the ward bathrooms and toilets. They are cleaned on a scheduled basis as a minimum by a dedicated team and more frequently when required.

We do take every complaint very seriously. If you would like to contact me and give more details (dates, times etc) then I will look into your case and address the specific issues and, particularly, identify the individuals involved. We do encourage women to let us know where we can improve our service and also what we do well.

Midwives at Tameside work very hard to empower women to have the best pregnancy and childbirth experience that they possibly can, and I am so sorry that this was not the case for you. You make reference to the fact you are pregnant again and are terrified about your labour. If you would like to come and discuss any concerns or fears that you might have, I can arrange for you to see our Midwifery Care Lead Midwife either here at the hospital or at your home.

Thank you for your posting and I would like to apologise for the behavior of a small group of individuals who are not representative of the midwifery team here at Tameside.

Lesley Tones

Head of Midwifery and Women’s Services

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