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"This is not the caring, listening and improving you go by"

About: Dr Gray's Hospital / Maternity care Dr Gray's Hospital / Women's Services

(as the patient),

At the end of January I attend the womans health clinic/early pregnancy unit in dr grays hospital, elgin. On my arrival I was meet by a member of staff who asked me my name and told me to sit down with my child and friend and wait to be seen. This staff member's attitude was awful! Even the domestic had a terrible attitude, telling me to keep my 2 year old daughter away from the fish tank and told her to sit down and leave the magazines alone, there for people who can read, and she cant be bothered to tidy them up. What a way to talk to child of 2 years old! 

I had my scan at 9am, and was told baby's heartbeat was slow and told to come back in 2 weeks.

I was then given an appointment for two weeks later in February and I left.

On arrival back in February I was then met by the same staff member who told me to sit down and wait for the midwife.

At my appointment time I was taken through by the person who was doing my scan.

Unfortunately baby's heart has stopped.

She told me she couldn't find a heartbeat and told me to wipe the gel off my belly and get myself ready, she gave me a miscarriage leaflet and sent me home!

Obviously I was very upset and in shock. Nothing was explained to me about why or what was going to happen next.

The next day I called ward 3 dr grays. After reading the booklet I was given I had decided what I wanted to do.

I was told by the lady that answered the phone to get on with it at home as there was nothing they would do, and I was told to call the early pregnancy unit as they still had my notes.

I then called the unit as advised and I was told that a midwife would call me back, that phone call never came!

I called back on 3 separate occasions to be told to just get on with it, there is nothing they can do even though I was bleeding and having some pains.

I was also asked by the lady on the phone is it the same partner or a different partner again. AGAIN!  All my children have the same father.

I work for NHS Grampain and I know this is not the "caring•listening•improving" you go by.

No sympathy, compassion, no nothing.

If I ever fall pregnant again, I will not step foot inside dr grays maternity unit ever again, I will be going elsewhere!

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Responses

Response from Lynn Cameron, Midwifery Manager, Maternity and Women's Services, NHS Grampian 7 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Lynn Cameron
Midwifery Manager, Maternity and Women's Services,
NHS Grampian
Submitted on 07/03/2017 at 16:49
Published on Care Opinion at 16:59


Can I firstly thank you for providing this feedback on Patient Opinion as this allows me to work to improve the services we provide.

I am very sorry to hear of your recent loss and that the staff you met did not treat you in the caring way you should expect.

On arrival in the woman's clinic I would have expected you and your child to have been welcomed by the staff and offered reading material while you waited. I am sorry this was not your experience and will ensure reading material is available for children in the future.

Following your scan it must have been distressing to be told that your baby's heart beat was slow and then having to wait 2 weeks for a repeat scan. It is necessary to wait this period of time to ensure a correct diagnosis.

Usually on diagnosis of a pregnancy loss I would expect staff to explain the options for treatment in a compassionate way using booklets to ensure that you understood what to expect next. I am saddened that this was not your experience and disappointed in the way you were spoken to.

I am unsure why you did not receive a return call from the unit as the sonographer did try to call you, the only explanation could be that she was using an incorrect number.

The communication you experienced was not of the quality I would expect and I will share your feedback with all the midwives,domestics and sonographers in ward 3 and the woman's clinic.

If you would like to discuss your care further please contact me at lynncameron@nhs.net

Thank you

Lynn

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