"hospital needs serious training on staff who do..."

Anything else?

I am 31 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child and have a chronic heart condition. From the time I found out I was expecting my 2nd child not so long ago I was sceptical about Queens and my fears have proven to be right. Luckily because of my condition I chose to continue being seen in Norwich where my Physician is and she has taken good care of me since my heart condition some years ago. Norwich accepted my antenatal care for my second child and this pregnancy so I give birth there etc even though I live in Upminster. However, on the 25th April 2013 I had stabbing pains to the left side of my abdomen which made it impossible for me to move. I waited a while and the pains would return and this got me worried. I called NHSdirect who decided to call an ambulance. The minute they mentioned this I got more worried at the thought of going to Queens. Paramedics came and because of my cardiac history and being 31 weeks they thought I may have to be taken to Norwich where they would know what to do. Upon arriving at the Queens A&E a lovely Dr there wanted me checked in maternity in case I was in labour. Maternity had already rejected me before arrival saying its best I am seen in Norwich. He tried to get me checked anyway to rule out anything before driving the 2 hr journey to Norwich. Paramedics were quite happy going to Norwich. I was worried that I might have been miscarrying. Anyway maternity was not having it and the consensus was to get me to Norwich. It was the Maternity coordinator who was actually refusing. The wonderful and ever so patient Paramedics filled up ambulance ready to go only to get a call about how this was against protocol etc. The poor guys were being shuffled back and forth. I was more worried about them than they were for me. They went back to Queens, this is 3 hours later of not being observed or anything but just sitting at the back of an ambulance while incompetency by Maternity ward (coordinator)was being practiced. After about an hour of humiliation and uncertainty the labour ward finally took me. Bear in mind this was now about 5 hours from time of call. I was attended to firstly by someone who did not know my name even though the file was right there with them. Then I was attended to by a midwife who was as cold as ice. I was really fed up and have never felt so discriminated upon. I wondered if it was my skin colour or just the reputation of Queens living up to its name. The doctor was a bit nice bt seemed to have so many questions about my condition whose answers where in the file.I was glad to be discharged that same evening. My husband was furious, he vowed that come what may he would never again get me to Queens, not even for a cough mixture. If anyone knows the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital you would understand the great difference between them and Queens. even if I went into labour I will drive the 2 hrs in pain to Norwich, they treat people with respect and care. Queens total opposite they need to shut down.