"Maternity - Labour ward and post-natal ward...."

I went into labour at 5pm on Friday 26th of May, I rang the Midwives at RSH and I was told to come down for a review, I attended RSH around 8, upon examination I was 2-3cm and was advised if I was not unable to cope with the pain myself then I was able to go to the anti-natal ward at PRH. We went straight over there and were dealt with promptly. Unfortunately due to my lack pain management and impatience for the injection of pain relief I was given to work, I was continuously pressing the buzzer by my bed and staff were accommodating to my needs and sympathetic and attending to me quickly.

Upon examination around 11ish (I think) I was 4cm and so able to go to the labour ward. The midwives who looked after me on the Consultant Led Ward were absolutely fantastic, they kept me calm and honoured my request for an epidural after giving the gas and air a try for a while as they requested.

The Anesthetist who I saw was fantastic, very friendly and didn't speak in medical jargon which at that point I would not have understood. The Consultant who looked after me that evening through to mid-morning the following day was outstanding and I truly cannot thank them enough for the safe delivery of my baby boy Hugo, following an emergency forceps delivery in theatre.

The whole team that I came into contact with on the labour ward provided me with phenomenal care, respect, empowerment and were so supportive, I truly cannot thank you all enough, you are without a doubt a credit to the Princess Royal Hospital.

Following a short stint in the recovery ward post-theatre I was taken to the post-natal ward. The staff were fabulous, friendly, caring and approachable.

However, it was abundantly clear that there were staff shortages, the staff were quite clearly stretched and quite literally on a number of occasions were rushing around trying to get around all the patients. In my opinion your staff numbers in the post-natal ward is something that needs reviewing, based on my stay on the ward from Saturday 27th of May to the evening of Monday 29th of May, this is when mistakes can happen, also as I am sure you aware can result in staff being signed of sick with stress etc or resigning ? Even though the midwives were quite clearly overworked they were phenomenal and deserve a huge thank you!

From the moment I arrived at PRH to the moment I left I am very satisfied with my care, Thank you to the whole team.