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"Early pregnancy care"

About: Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Gynaecology Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Maternity care

(as a service user),

After suffering a miscarriage at the start of the year I have luckily conceived again and at just over 12 weeks I started bleeding . It took 3 calls to the urgent out of hours midwife number (foetal assessment) to be answered and the response was we don't see anyone under 20weeks you will need to contact gyne. Transfered to gyne and they advised they need a referral from a doctor to be seen. Spoke with out of hours and the nurse was supportive in conversation and advised I would need a scan at gyne and to present myself at A&E they will have a record of the recommendation. I attended A&E and as expected it was very busy and after a 6hour uncomfortable wait( suffering nausea throught he pregnancy and severe migraines) I had bloods,urine sample and a heart trace done and  the doctor advised I needed a scan and he would call gyne... only to be told I would need to come by the next morning to be seen... 

I can assure u that if you have ever suffered a loss, at any stage of your pregnancy you are afraid, concerned, anxious and panicked .. with how our care is set up presently where only after 20 weeks do u matter to foetal assessment. Women and unborn babies are being put through an ordeal to be seen, all to follow a process that is flawed. By being in the emergency department I had to see the same doctor who confirmed my miscarriage only a few months prior while I was sitting worried I was going through the same thing again.

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Responses

Response from Brenda McClafferty, Lead Midwife Maternity Services, Maternity Services Altnagelvin Hospital, WHSCT nearly 2 years ago
We have made a change
Brenda McClafferty
Lead Midwife Maternity Services, Maternity Services Altnagelvin Hospital,
WHSCT
Submitted on 19/08/2022 at 15:36
Published on Care Opinion at 16:48


Hello Burden

.As the Lead Midwife for maternity services I do apologise for the distress and upset caused following your attendance and also for the delay in responding to you.

The fetal assessment service is managed by midwives and bleeding at 12 weeks is outside their scope of practice. Any woman with bleeding at 12 weeks should contact a GP or out of hours GP for further advice and management. The Gynaecology ward run a early pregnancy clinic 5 days a week which allows GP’s to refer women to be seen promptly. All other emergencies such a heavy bleeding should be directed to ED.

Your experience has been shared with the staff and have also been informed in future to direct women to their own GP or out of hours GP for further advice.

Kind Regards

Brenda McClafferty

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