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"Experienced Miscarriage- trteated at EPC"

About: Southmead Hospital

I was referred to the clinic as I had experienced bleeding around 8 weeks into a much longed for pregancy. Tuesday: Scanned and told I was onoly 5 weeks pregnant. Informed nurse that wasn't possible and I should be AT LEAST 8 weeks. Spoke to the nurse around miscarriage concerns, bit the nurse wouldn't listen and brushed them off saying it looked perfectly healthly for a 5 week pregnancy but booked us in for a scan in two weeks to measure development. As the nurse brought another patient in, the nurse said someone would speak to us about our concerns. After waiting for around 15 minutes, the nurse came out between seeing patients and gave us some leaflets and told us and call the nuimber on the back if we had any concerns. No time to talk to us about our concerns and felt as though we were taking up too much of the clinics time. Left feeling worried and a burden on the staff. Wednesday Experienced severe cramping. Phoned the number on the leaflet and spoke to a Dr, who told me I was experiencing a threatened miscarriage and would phone me back with an appointment for a scan in a weeks time. Was told if bleeding became too heavy to go to A&E. Thursday Still no call back from the cllinic, cramping was worse and heavy bleeding. Phoned clinic again and spoke to a nurse. Informed I was having a miscarriage but given no information on what to do or expect. Confused, I asked about scan appointments and was told all would be cancelled and my practice midwife informed. No useful information given and very little compassion shown. Had to do internet research to get questions answered. The following two weeks I was contacted 4 times by various midwives and nurses, both asking why I had missed scan appointments and trying to book in more. After informing them I had a miscarriage, each time it was claimed my medical notes weren't updated. These phonecalls were extremely upsetting only 2 weeks after losing my baby. I feel completely abandoned by those who were supposed to be offering medical care. I have been given next to no information and leaflets are not a substitue for a compassionate medical practionner. I was made to feel like I was a complete burden to the staff- I appreciate that this is a regular occurance to them but for me it was extremely traumatic and frightening. The repeated phonecalls regarding scans I should have been attending only added to my misery. I haven't seen any medical professional since the first scan, everything has been done by hurried (on the part of the staff) phonecalls. Really upsetting experience and would advise anyone can can avoid going here to do so. Basic compassion and seeing each individual as an person, not just another case in the day job, would go along way.

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Responses

Response from Southmead Hospital 9 years ago
Southmead Hospital
Submitted on 27/08/2014 at 14:41
Published on nhs.uk on 28/08/2014 at 04:00


Dear Anonymous – I was saddened to read of your experience which is far from the service I recognise from the many compliments and comments I normally receive about Maternity Services. It is clear your care was not of the normal standard provided and we would be happy to understand more about what went wrong in supporting you and to ensure any lessons are learned for other women. If you would like to speak to a senior midwife or if you would like us to formally investigate your concerns please contact us via Complaints@nbt.nhs.uk Once again I am sorry that the errors at the hospital added to your distress at this very difficult time. I wish to assure you we are keen to understand why you were not supported in the way I would expect. Kind Regards – Steve Sykes Advice and Complaints Team

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