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Care Opinion

Antenatal appointment

Posted By Julsy3

"Antenatal appointment"

About: Tameside General Hospital / Maternity care

(as a staff member posting for a patient/service user),

This story has been posted by Healthwatch Tameside on behalf of a member of the public. We have their details and will forward any comments to them. They said…

First antenatal appointment at Tameside Hospital. Arrived at hospital ½ an hour early for scan but was seen straightaway – which was great. Following scan was sent to weigh room. I handed over my green booklet and was asked to take a seat. Most women were seen within 10 – 15 minutes. I waited for over an hour despite mentioning that I had been there already for some time.

Following this I was asked to return to the waiting room and wait to be called to see the midwife. Again I waited over an hour to be seen. I have morning sickness and was finding it difficult sitting for so long. There were people eating hot food and the smell was very strong. I was having trouble not being sick.

I was at the hospital for over 4 hours in total. My partner doesn’t get paid for these appointments so will have lost several hours pay because of this. Car parking was also expensive at £6 for over 4 hours.

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Responses

Response from Helen Howard, Head of Patient Experience, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust 8 years ago
Helen Howard
Head of Patient Experience,
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 11/11/2015 at 16:01
Published on Care Opinion at 22:53

Thank you for your feedback on your experience when attending the Antenatal clinic for the first time. It is disappointing to hear that you had to wait so long to see a midwife, especially after having a positive experience with the Sonographers.

As the manager I am aware there are some issues around waiting times in the Clinic and I can give you my assurances that these issues are currently under review. There will be some changes within the department over the next few months which should have a positive impact on the waiting times and the Women’s experience when attending the clinic in the future.

If you would like to discuss this further and assist in the review please do not hesitate to contact Rachel Alexander- Antenatal Clinic/Unit Lead on 0161 922 6176 or email Rachel.alexander@tgh.nhs.uk

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Response from Helen Howard, Head of Patient Experience, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust 8 years ago
We have made a change
Helen Howard
Head of Patient Experience,
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 07/12/2015 at 17:03
Published on Care Opinion at 20:28

In order to address some of the concerns you have raised, as of today, 7th December, all women booking at Tameside Maternity unit, who are deemed to be low risk, will not be seen by a midwife at their 20 week scan appointment, in line with Nice Guidance.

This will hopefully mean that the waiting times in the clinic are reduced and women will receive improved continuity by their community midwife.

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Response from Healthwatch Tameside 8 years ago
Healthwatch Tameside

Submitted on 12/01/2016 at 10:24
Published on Care Opinion at 11:28

This reply has been posted by Healthwatch Tameside on behalf of the patient. We will forward any further comments to them.........

Following my first experience at Tameside Hospital’s Antenatal department I spoke with the Healthwatch team because I was so unhappy. I was told that the hospital had responded to my complaints and that they had taken steps to make improvements.

I am happy to say that this is definitely the case. I returned to the hospital and my waiting time was significantly reduced from almost 6 hours to just over 3 hours. I returned to the hospital again and was scanned & seen by a midwife in less than an hour.

Every person I spoke with at both my appointments was very keen to make improvements and I was told a few times that they are trying to make some changes to improve the services further.

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