"Maternity Services"

This comment is a complaint about the services offered and communication from NHS Grampian with expectant mothers.

I met with my midwife on Thursday last week to discuss my birth plan and agreed to try water as a pain relief option if possible, with the potential of water birth. This was agreed and alleviated huge anxiety on my part due to my previous labour. This was even more important and relaxing for me to know that I would have continuity with midwives due to my husband obviously not being able to visit as normal with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. 

Today, a social media post has been circulating with regards to the most recent information relating to ward 3 at Dr Gray's Hospital. It has today been confirmed that the birthing suite is due for upgrade (birth pool) and that the pool will therefore be out of use. As this is social media, I messaged my midwife to confirm. She needed to clarify this herself. A friend who is due a few days before me then called ward 3 at DGH who confirmed this was the case. The midwife also confirmed that no alternative inflatable pool would be sought but also that 2 of 4 labour rooms would be out of use to make room for new birth pools. Why would both then be done at once? Why not do 1 at a time to ensure an alternative inflatable pool cab be accommodated for whilst works are ongoing. Expectant mothers are now being told to consider Aberdeen, Peterhead and Inverurie (even though Inverurie is currently closed) for birth. How can this be deemed as acceptable by NHS Grampian? 

As if the options for Moray women weren't restricted enough. I am extremely concerned by this, even more so by the fact it hasn't even been discussed with pregnant women who plan to birth in Elgin. Also, that this has been announced on social media (not even by NHS Grampian) and we are having to phone up and ask to even get the information. Communication with patients is key! 

Surely some form of alternative could have been sought that didn't again involve ridiculous transfers to other units where we are not familiar with the midwives and they are busy enough, this really is unacceptable. There are lots of anxious mums in Moray as it is due to long standing issues and Covid, this is just exacerbating emotions when everyone is struggling.

It feels like NHS Grampian are seriously lacking behind other health boards and the options for expectant mums just continue to reduce!