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

Not a lot!! I went to Colchester ...

Story from nhs.uk

"Not a lot!! I went to Colchester ..."

About: Colchester General Hospital

(as the patient),

What I liked

Not a lot!!

I went to Colchester General Hospital, Constable Wing, whilst in labour with my son.

What could be improved

The midwife monitored me and said that my waters were 'trickling' and that the Dr had advised for me to be kept in overnight for observation.

I was sent up to the ward at 2am, and was not visited until 9am ... for the breakfast trolley!!

They decided to break my waters at 5pm and would not let me have dinner - even though the dinner trolley was outside the door of the room I was in!

When the midwife broke my waters she did not explain anything, and did it with no warning (sheer agony)!

I was then sent a male midwife as I complained about the female midwife!

The male midwife was brilliant, and after hearing I has nothing to eat or drink was bringing me tea and toast in the labour suite.

After having my son I was sent back up to the ward and did not get any sleep - my son slept all night due to me having been given pethidine late on in my labour - the other mothers and babies in the ward kept talking, crying or moving around and disturbing me ... and there was one woman who had had a caesarean who kept shouting out when her baby cried as she couldn't lift her!

By the morning my son was not feeding - they were giving him (or attempting to give) cold milk ... what newborn baby do you know to drink cold milk?!?! When I requested help with breast feeding I was told they didn't have the time, and that my son was "naughty" and "silly" for not feeding - and they sent the paediatrician to see him. By the time he got to us my son had had a feed - of a bottle that I had made up (warm, may I add) and was asleep.

The paediatrician said he did not know why the midwife has sent him, as my son was perfectly fine.

I later discharged myself due to the lack of care - and being left with filthy sheets on the bed all day - and was home within 17 hours of giving birth!!!

The care in the ward was appalling, and I have now opted for a home birth for any more children I may have in the future

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

Responses

Response from Colchester General Hospital 14 years ago
Colchester General Hospital

Submitted on 18/01/2010 at 17:06
Published on nhs.uk on 19/01/2010 at 04:34

I am very sorry to read of the poor patient experience you had. I have discussed your comments with Anne Ferris the Associate Director of Midwifery and Governance, and she would urge you to contact her either by phone (01206 742481) or by email info@colchesterhospital.nhs.uk

At the Trust we have matrons on duty 24 hours per day. If you have a concern about nursing care received or are concerned about what you should do after being in hospital please contact one of the matrons by visiting our website:

http://www.colchesterhospital.nhs.uk/matron_structure.shtml

We have a Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS), viewable here:

http://www.colchesterhospital.nhs.uk/pals.shtml

Alternatively, we have complaints process which is outlined here:

http://www.colchesterhospital.nhs.uk/complaints.shtml

--

Paul Searle, Head of Communications

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Colchester General Hospital | Trust HQ | Turner Road | Colchester | Essex | CO4 5JL

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

tel: 01206 742348 | email: paul.searle@colchesterhospital.nhs.uk

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