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"A desperate trip to A&E"

About: William Harvey Hospital (Ashford) / Accident and emergency

I am 10 weeks pregnant and had passed a large clot with so much blood I panicked. unfortunately the EPU suggested A&E and the number given for my midwife was convienently unavailable. I arrived at A&E very distressed to be greeted by a nurse who has a very poor attitude. "what are you here for". so infront of a now very small waiting room I explained the clot and active bleeding I was having. The nurse's reply "did you actually bring the evidence?". No I didn't think to collect the bloody soaked tissues with and bring them in my haste to get checked out and see if my baby was still alive. "well sit there and we will take your blood pressure and urine and maybe bloods". I sat did had my blood pressure taken all fine except heart rate elevated- to be expected in my state. had a urine dip test and the nurse came out and said here you best keep hold of it. before I had a chance to look at it this triage nurse who stands in reception looked at it and said "it's fine". I don't usually play the nurse card but as a registered nurse I can tell you that actually that urine dip was positive for nitrate, leukocytes and ketones. I had been severely vomiting so ketones I expected. Now for a positive urine dip and indication for UTI in a pregnant woman this is high risk for early miscarriage! yet the staff said all was fine. I continued to sit there and another nurse came out and asked if I was still bleeding and when my last period was. I answered and they disappeared. A while later the same triage nurse with their I can't be bothered attitude came over. "oh yeah I forgot to tell you they won't scan you until Tuesday (5days later) to see if your baby is ok". Oh you forgot to tell me? thanks very much. I asked why I had to wait five days despite bleeding and the nurse rolled their eyes and said "we get this a lot from woman but what can you do, you can go private and get a scan". Luckily I'm left working at the WHH as a nurse and work at a private hospital. I called a colleague who spoke to our chief nurse who arranged for a consultant from Maidstone as a favour to come and scan me that evening. I told the nurse and they said "well self discharge then as I don't know what you want me to do". as a nurse who has trained, qualified and worked at WHH I have always defended the staff working here as I think they are all under pressure to do an impossible job. However the treatment, attitude and down right disgusting behaviour towards a woman who through years of trying and IVF treatment is told what do you want us to do about it and to come back in 5 days is appalling. I was not seen by one doctor. they didn't ask about any other symptoms I was having or ask to see any of my notes. A man walked in who fell on his elbow three days ago and thought he would just get it checked out. hadn't phoned 111. hadn't called to make appointment at GP got seen straight away! No bruising on his elbow no swelling but still got seen. absolutely disgusted at this hospital and staff.

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Responses

Response from William Harvey Hospital (Ashford) 6 years ago
William Harvey Hospital (Ashford)
Submitted on 25/09/2017 at 13:58
Published on nhs.uk at 14:31


I am really sorry to hear about what happened to you at William Harvey Hospital.

I would really appreciate it if you would be able to contact us so we can look into this more thoroughly.

Please can you either send an email to ekh-tr.patientexperienceteam@nhs.net or complete the web form on our website: https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/information-for-patients/patient-experience-team-and-pals/making-a-complaint/complaint-form/

We look forward to hearing from you.

Many thanks.

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