"Ante-Natal Stay"

I was recently admitted at 36 weeks pregnant for abdominal pain unrelated to labour. Some of the staff, one Midwife in particular, we're so caring and thoughtful and spent time talking things through and listening to me and my concerns. Other staff however I felt were quite dismissive and belittling of my condition. I am aware they look after people of varying illness and severity daily, but I felt I was being a burden to some.

The bathrooms are in a state of disrepair with bdays having been removed and large holes in the floor and walls were present. The showers felt unclean and had parts missing to doors and fittings.

There also appeared to be an infestation of silverfish insects at night in the bathrooms!

The nature of the ward also means the toilets and facilities were used on a regular basis by women both ante and post natal. Due to this the cleanliness of the toilets were variable and it was left to whoever went in next to often clean the toilet seat/floor surrounding the toilet of bodily fluids. I did report the toilet to have blood on the floor at 3pm to a staff member, who informed me the cleaners had gone home. The bathroom remained in this state until the cleaner returned the following morning.

The other concern I had as an unwell female was that although partners can visit from 9am-9pm, there was a lady in my bay who's husband was there for the whole 12 hours. He was quite loud and verbally demeaning to his wife throughout and made sleeping/resting in the day impossible. I just didn't feel comfortable having a male in the room while discussing my private bits with doctors (curtains aren't sound proof!) or while being sick or in varying States of distress!

To be fair once I complained to the staff they moved me to another bay straight away and were very understanding, but I felt perhaps they could have addressed the man to hint politely that residents need rest and respite! The visiting hours are 9-9, it doesn't state you should be there that whole time!

Now I know I sound like I'm really whinging! The staff in the whole were pleasant and my needs were met with pain relief when required and the food was good. I never felt I was abandoned or couldn't find help if I needed it - I just felt there were some aspects of my stay that made feeling ill all the more unpleasant!