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I am due to have my baby at Royal ...

Story from nhs.uk

"I am due to have my baby at Royal ..."

About: Royal Bolton Hospital

What I liked

I am due to have my baby at Royal Bolton Hospital in October this year. I live in Astley which is approximately 10 minutes away from the Hospital. Since the very beginning, I have had nothing but trouble due to the fact that I am classed as Wigan and out of area. I have been refused blood appointments and been sent to have them with the Wigan midwives, although when I try to make appointments with the Wigan midwives, I get the same story. They either cannot do it or are fully booked. My most recent problem has come when I have tried to book my parent craft class and Hospital tour. I feel that as I ma giving birth in Bolton, I should be able to have my Antenatal class in Bolton. Instead I have been refused the class in Bolton and referred to Wigan, which I called and they are fully booked. I do not feel that I should miss out on the essential class just because of where I live. Although I am classed as Wigan, it actually takes more than 40 minutes to get to Wigan Hospital. Even Leigh takes around 20 minutes, whereas Bolton takes 10 minutes. I feel that Hospital politics have gotten in the way of the care of the patient. I have been caused nothing but stress by this and am at the end of teather with it all. I feel that Bolton should take responsibility for me as I am giving birth at RBH, So therfore Wigan have nothing to do with me!

What could be improved

Allow patients that are giving birth at your Hospital to have all services there, EG: Bloods teaken, midwife appointments, antenatal classes and tours.

Anything else?

The actual midwives at RBH, when you do get to see them are great. It is the services and hospital polictics processes that severely let you down.

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Responses

Response from NHS Bolton 13 years ago
NHS Bolton

Submitted on 02/08/2010 at 13:46
Published on Care Opinion at 01:00

Dear Melissa,

Many thanks for alerting us to the problems you have encountered with your antenatal care. Firstly can I say that we are pleased that you have chosen to have your baby at the Royal Bolton Hospital and wish to provide you and your baby with the highest standard of care. I am sure that you gave a great deal of thought as to where you give birth to your baby as this is an important decision, and I wish to apologise that some of your antenatal care so far has been difficult to work through. We are working together with our neighbouring maternity units to make sure that all women receive the same care and choices no matter where they live, or where they choose to have their baby. I will be contacting Wigan maternity service to highlight the problems you have had and working with them to try to resolve the issues. Although I cannot change the difficulties you have had regarding the blood tests that were taken, I can provide help with your parentcraft classes, which as you say are essential and will provide you with lots of relevant information. Can I ask that you contact myself at Bolton on 01204 390576 or via email on cathy.atherton@rbh.nhs.uk so that I can personally make sure that the remainder of your pregnancy is less stressful

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Royal Bolton Hospital 13 years ago
Royal Bolton Hospital

Submitted on 25/10/2010 at 11:30
Published on nhs.uk on 26/10/2010 at 04:00

Dear Melissa,

Many thanks for alerting us to the problems you have encountered with your antenatal care. Firstly can I say that we are pleased that you have chosen to have your baby at the Royal Bolton Hospital and wish to provide you and your baby with the highest standard of care. I am sure that you gave a great deal of thought as to where you give birth to your baby as this is an important decision, and I wish to apologise that some of your antenatal care so far has been difficult to work through. We are working together with our neighbouring maternity units to make sure that all women receive the same care and choices no matter where they live, or where they choose to have their baby. I will be contacting Wigan maternity service to highlight the problems you have had and working with them to try to resolve the issues. Although I cannot change the difficulties you have had regarding the blood tests that were taken, I can provide help with your parentcraft classes, which as you say are essential and will provide you with lots of relevant information. Can I ask that you contact myself at Bolton on 01204 390576 or via email on cathy.atherton@rbh.nhs.uk so that I can personally make sure that the remainder of your pregnancy is less stressful.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
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