"Complaint."

I wish to make a formal complaint in regards to my appointment with the consultants at Alexandra Hospital.

I arrived at the hospital early enough to book in and for an initial assessment to be conducted. I was advised that I did not need to provide a sample of urine as I had done this with the midwife the day before I arrived for the assessment.

An hour and a half I waited in the waiting room, and so I asked the nurse who had taken my green book from me if there was a problem. It was not until about two hours after my arrival, after another couple who were waiting started to get irate about the wait, and the fact that we were not having any updates that we were informed that the consultant was running 50 minutes late. One of the nurses kindly offered to make those of us waiting a cup of tea.

When I finally got to see the consultant, they appeared to me to be clearly not interested and they did not apologise for the wait. As I have a holiday booked in a month when I will be 29 weeks pregnant I was told by my midwife and doctor that I would need to address this as I may not be able to travel because of taking Clexane injections. When I said about the holiday, the consultant said to me "Why am I asking them, I should contact the airline or talk to my doctor".

I tried to explain that I was informed that I should be guided by them and was dismissed.

This happened again when I asked about working nights and the long shifts I work without having a break. Again my midwife said the consultant would be the best person to speak to and could write a letter to my supervisor. All the consultant said to me was "well you need to sort it with your doctor, you need to have breaks."

The consultant didn't listen to me when I tried to explain that was sometimes not possible.

I was then told that my urine sample showed that I was dehydrated and that if I did not drink more I would be admitted into hospital and put on a drip. As I had not provided a sample I asked where the results were from as I had not given a sample. The consultant clearly did not believe me and asked one of the nurses from outside to come in to ask if I had provided a sample which they confirmed I had not as I had one the day before with the midwife. I was told that I had to do another one now which I did.

The results were normal, not once did I receive an apology from the consultant they just crossed out the notes that were made in my green book and handed it back to me.

I have never experienced someone as rude and unhelpful during this consultancy. It seemed they had no interest in what I was trying to say nor did they care. This is my first pregnancy and the first time I've had to be under a consultant, I was made to believe by my midwife and doctor that I would be able to turn to the consultants for advise as they would be in charge of my care throughout my pregnancy and the birth of my child. If this is the level of care that I will be given then I do not wish to have a consultant as the whole experience was upsetting and stressful.