This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?

"Chicken pox nightmare"

About: Queen Charlotte's Hospital

I am extremely distressed regarding my recent treatment at queen charlottes maternity ward. I am 23 and a half weeks pregnant and was told by a family friend I had been exposed to chicken pox , I aware that chicken pox can cause complications in pregnancy especially as I have to had them before . Therefore I rang the delivery suite unit on Sunday afternoon to find out what steps I should take , I was told by a midwife to go to a an e local to me for blood tests ASAP to test for immunity. I was told to by under no circumstances go to a maternity unit. I went to hillingdon hospital a and e early morning and was told they do not do tests for chicken pox and I should go to there maternity triage unit which I was reluctant to do as per my previous instructions . However as I am extremely concerned I felt I had no choice I was then told I should go to queen Charlotte maternity triage as they would have samples of my screening blood that could be tested. I proceeded in calling the maternity unit to which I explained the situation and that I had been turned away from A&E I was told to contact my GP , however my GP does not accept appointments with pregnant woman and I explained this . I was then passed to another mid wife who told me they would check my results and call me back !! I received a voicemail about an hour later telling me that I should go to a and e for blood tests ! As you can imagine at this point I was getting a little frustrated . I attempted to call the mid wife back over the next hour only to be transferred to the labour ward twice and swiftly dismissed and another time I was shouted at by another member of staff and told I have the wrong number then had the phone slammed down on me !! Eventually I got through to the midwife I originally spoke to who informed me I was never tested for chicken pox in my initial blood screening and I should have informed them I hadn't had it before , which I found extremely insulting when it clearly states in my medical notes that I have not had chicken pox !! I was then told to go to hammersmith hospital A&E as they have provisions for these kind of tests and under no circumstances go to the maternity unit . I called hammersmith hospital A and E to be told that they DO NOT do these blood tests and I should go to the maternity unit !At this point I am extremely worked up and confused as to where I am supposed to be going and worried about the possible damage that could be caused to my baby when no one seems to have any idea where I am supposed to go and I am being spoken to like I am a idiot. I then called the midwife again and spoke to a sister after explaining the hospital don't do the blood tests, this midwife contacted a doctor for me and sent me to a and e . On arrival at A and E I was asked by the doctor " why I had come for tests here and I should have gone to the maternity unit ! This whole situation has still not been resolved I am appalled at the way I have been disregarded and treated

nhs.uk logo
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Queen Charlotte's Hospital 9 years ago
Queen Charlotte's Hospital
Submitted on 11/07/2014 at 10:26
Published on nhs.uk on 12/07/2014 at 04:00


Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is really sorry to hear about your experience and Queen Charlotte's and would like to assure you that this is not our usual standard of care. Since this posting our Antenatal clinic lead midwife has been in contact to discuss the results of the test and answer your questions. The issue of incorrect advice will be communicated to and addressed with staff. We apologise for the distress this has caused you and wish you all the best for the rest of your pregnancy

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k