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Care Opinion

Princess Royal Maternity Care

Posted By piscesqb88

"Princess Royal Maternity Care"

About: Maternity care (wards 68, 72 &73) / Labour suite Maternity care (wards 68, 72 &73) / Maternity Assessment/Triage Maternity care (wards 68, 72 &73) / Maternity care (Ward 68) Maternity care (wards 68, 72 &73) / Maternity care (Ward 72) Maternity care (wards 68, 72 &73) / Maternity care (Ward 73)

(as the patient),

I had just my pregnancy scans initially at PRM. After having a growth scan, I was diagnosed with Polyhydramnios (excess fluid) so my further pregnancy appointments were all with PRM. I found the waiting times for appointments so bad (2 hours average in the waiting room). My appointment letters always stated the appointment would be with a specific Doctor in Obstetrics,  but I never met this person once. It was always someone else (different) every time. I have to say, upon the diagnosis I had very little support or advice from hospital staff and spent months worrying that something was wrong with my baby and that if I was to go into labour, the baby would be in danger. I read online about potential risks (cord prolapse, detached placenta, development problems in baby, stillbirth) rather than having these discussed. I wasn’t given any information, not even a leaflet. All they did was book me for a diabetes GTT. A further scan and the GTT ended up being booked for 36 weeks (after having been diagnosed at 32 weeks) which felt too late.

I was encouraged to have an induction at 39 weeks due to the risks, and as the baby was measuring large in the scan (above 8lbs). My last growth scan was carried out by a member of staff and they sent me off without reassuring me or telling me the current fluid level.

My experience, when in the hospital for induction, was much better than for prenatal appointments. I had been given a leaflet on inductions at least, so I had some information in advance.

I had the gel inserted. I was in a lot of unbearable pain by 6 hours later and was examined and moved to the labour suite an hour after this, as I had reached 4-5cm. I gave birth a few hours later, so the induction definitely got things moving. Unfortunately, I had a retained placenta and postpartum haemorrhage so had to be rushed to theatre. All midwives and doctors were brilliant and I felt well cared for.

I was moved to the postnatal ward later that day. The staff that worked at the ward (72 or 73) were all really good. I did lack a bit of information on my situation however. I was unaware for days why I was still in hospital as each day passed. A couple of times, I came back from the toilet to find pills or an injection needle on my bedside table and was unsure initially what these were. I was shocked to suddenly have a doctor appear and tell me I needed further blood transfusions on day 4. It turns out I’d been kept in as my haemoglobin levels had been dropping everyday, but I wasn’t really aware of this.

Unfortunately this had also delayed my milk supply - the midwives were very helpful though and provided me with a breast pump to express some milk and top up with formula. They also sent a lactation consultant to give me more advice on breastfeeding.

I don’t remember most of the midwives names but I do remember one who set up my blood transfusions on the ward. She was really nice and I felt at ease with what was happening. This was because of her and other members of staff, including a student midwife, who also helped bring my dinner and feed and change my baby while I was having the transfusions and unable to do so myself. I was kept in hospital, with low levels of haemoglobin for an extra day, due to staff shortages (despite the blood being ready to go), which was frustrating but I know this wasn’t the fault of the staff.

I was moved to another ward on my last night without any information as to why. The new ward left me in a smaller bay and with a curtain that wouldn't fully close next to the toilet so I had no privacy from anyone passing when sleeping, changing or pumping breast milk. Thankfully, I only had to endure a day in this area, as it also smelled bad when anyone had a poo in the toilets.

The main improvement I could recommend is better antenatal care. To actually see the consultant named on your appointment letter, being given information on any pregnancy conditions you have, not having to wait for 2 hours for every appointment and being better informed of appointments in advance - I had to call a number of times as appointment letters arrived after the appointment.

I would have also appreciated if someone came to talk me through my post birth issues that took me to theatre, while I was in the post natal ward. I got most of my information from reading the discharge letter for my GP, 5 days later.

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Responses

Response from Elaine Drennan, Lead Midwife, Community Midwifery and Home Birth Team, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 2 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Elaine Drennan
Lead Midwife, Community Midwifery and Home Birth Team,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 28/01/2022 at 12:24
Published on Care Opinion at 13:23

Dear piscesqb88

Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback about the care you have received during your pregnancy, labour and postnatally. This is important to us so we can improve the quality and experience for women.

I was sorry to read about your overall experience within the antenatal clinic in particular long waiting times, lack of information and support and not being able to see the named consultant. This is not what we could want for women. Currently the Senior Charge Midwife (SCM) and her team are working on how the waiting time can be reduced and the flow through the clinic is improved whilst ensuring that all women receive the time required to meet their pregnancy needs.

When you attend for your appointment it was expected that you will see the clinician who is named within the letter. Our hospital clinics have a named consultant who are aligned to a postcode area and working alongside them are other experienced doctors and midwives who may see you during your pregnancy. This I will discuss with the SCM to explore how we can ensure that women have access to their consultant if requested.

I would have hoped that when you attended the clinic that time was spent talking over what was happening in your pregnancy to alleviate your worries and appropriate advice and support was provided. It is important that information and support is provided and will discuss this with the SCM to how we can improve the existing resources we have.

Appointment letters should be received prior to the appointment time and I am sorry this did not happen for you to provide enough notice. It would be expected that follow up appointments would be arranged at the time of your clinic visit and a letter sent to confirm. I will feed this back to our medical records department to explore how this can be improved.

I would be happy to discuss your experience further and can be contacted on 07816226267.

Thank you again for providing us with your feedback and I wish you and your family well.

Kind Regards

Elaine Drennan

Lead Midwife, Community & OPD

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Response from Evelyn Frame, Chief Midwife, Women and Children's, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 2 years ago
Evelyn Frame
Chief Midwife, Women and Children's,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 31/01/2022 at 09:11
Published on Care Opinion at 09:11

Dear piscesqh88,

Firstly, can I say congratulations on the birth of your baby. I hope you are both doing well. Secondly, I would like to thank you for taking the time, as a busy new mum, to share your experience of having your baby at the PRM. We always strive to prioritise feedback from our women and use it as an opportunity to improve our standards and quality of care.

I sincerely apologise that you were not given the appropriate information, once your pregnancy complication was diagnosed and for the lack of continuity during the antenatal period. What you have described is an unsatisfactory experience, and not of the standard we strive to deliver.

It is encouraging to hear your experience of the induction process was good and thank you for describing the staff caring for you as ‘brilliant’. Your postnatal period was obviously difficult and again I apologise for the lack of communication during that time. It would be normal practice to make sure you were fully debriefed following the complications you experienced after the birth of your baby.

I will take these issues forward to the relevant areas, but would be more than happy to explore your issues in greater detail, should you feel that this may be of benefit to you.

I have enclosed both my direct contact number and email address, and would be delighted to hear from you.

Best Wishes,

Tracy Orr

Title: Senior Charge Midwife, Labour ward, PRM

Contact No: 01412429817

Email: tracy.orr@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

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Response from Elaine Drennan, Lead Midwife, Community Midwifery and Home Birth Team, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 16 months ago
We have made a change
Elaine Drennan
Lead Midwife, Community Midwifery and Home Birth Team,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 14/12/2022 at 09:34
Published on Care Opinion at 10:26

Dear piscesqb88

I hope that this finds you and your family well. I want to take the opportunity to let you know of the changes we have made to the outpatient clinic since you provided your feedback.

Together the staff and SCM have revised the organisation of the day to day running of the Maternity OPD clinic in ensuring that all women attending have the time to see the midwife and discuss their pregnancy and adequate time with the obstetrician for plans to be discussed. We have implemented that every woman attending will see the same midwife or the same buddy midwife at each visit to maintain continuity and provide consistent care in pregnancy.

With these changes we continue to strive to provide a service which improves and provides a good experience for all pregnant women in GGC.

May I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Best Wishes

Elaine

Elaine Drennan

Lead Midwife Community & OPD

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