Early pregnancy unit?

[squiglyline]

Hey,

I just wondered if anyone has had to call glasgow queen Elizabeth EPU recently. They have a voice mail now and just don’t call you back.

Their message says leave your name and number to get someone to call you back on another line.

I called yesterday and today and no reply. Do I just keep calling until they phone me back?

[MissSophieB397]

That's such a nightmare! What if it's a serious thing that needs seeing too?! Can you not just pop in? X

[squiglyline]

I need to book in for an early scan.
I mc in Oct and the midwife said next time call and get a 6-8 week early scan to check everything is okay.

So not an emergency but still urgent. I’m going to try calling back again about 3:30 as they close at 4.

I’m off on Friday and if I’ve still not heard from them I’ll just go in and speak to them in person.
X

[EastDulwichWife]

They might have a drop in. My local one does (9am -12pm). Just turn up if so - poor reception staff are drowning in work! Good luck OP.

[Filzma]

How did it go @squiglyline?

[squiglyline]

Still not had a returned phone call after leaving 5 messages. I’m going to try going via the hospital switch board tomorrow and if that doesn’t work I’ll call my doctor and ask him to email them directly.

[gryffen]

Hi squigly I'm Glasgow too.

The ePU is manned between 8-4 and no answer machine exists to leave messages, it does tell you to phone Princess royal on Sunday but you just need to keep phoning and get through to someone when the midwife is free.

For your reason I am having my second at the RAH- triage is managed 24/7 there (had first there too).

It's a royal pain in ass, switchboard don't help as they don't have direct numbers and if you just attend you will not be scanned.

If an emergency then pop into A&E and they will refer you directly if needed.

Ps - if bleeding- do above as most other things it's a few days to wait before appointment for minor things.

[squiglyline]

Hi @gryffen

I’m calling the EPU at QEU hospital. They have a machine that says it’s important to leave your name and number if you want someone to call you back from another line.

That’s 4 days now I’ve been trying to get through to them.

They told me when I was in last time with my mc to call them and get an early scan appointment. I’m going to keep trying and then see if my doctor has another way to contact them. If not then I’ll go in tomorrow and speak to the receptionist in person to get booked in.

[squiglyline]

I don’t know if I’d be able to choose RAH as im not in the catchment area. I’m in East Ren

[fidgetsmumx]

I’m not in your area but where I am they won’t take self referrals unless your bleeding despite previous losses, so you may be best to get your midwife to call them and do the referral to ensure you get a scan?
Good luck.

[squiglyline]

Hey, I finally got through to them after saying on the message I’d been trying to get through since Monday they answered straight away.
I have an early scan appointment for 22nd :)

I don’t have a mid wife yet. I’m only 5 weeks.
When I was in in Oct the midwife I spoke to then told me to call the unit directly and make an appointment for an early scan as I have history of mc.

Fingers crossed all is well at the scan :) x

[gryffen]

Hi Squigly - they have changed the system in less than a week then as I phoned last week and got stupid message lol.

You can chose any hospital you wish in Scotland and you just need a midwife to note it and get a scan date there but ALL appointments will be at that hospital and you will be in great hands.

I'm Glasgow, my doctor in pollok but I point blank refuse QEUH to give birth in.

[squiglyline]

@gryffen

I got my 12w scan date for 15th March at the vicky
Then next scan at QEU at 17w (20w scan)

Don’t know about any of the other appointments.

So do I speak to my gp or the midwife about choosing a hospital? I’m guessing I’ll get infor on a midwife at my first scan?

[gryffen]

Ooft they like confusing you don't they!

Speak to your midwife at doctors and tell them the hospital you want to give birth in - did they not ask at booking appointment?

Have you had booking appointment?

[squiglyline]

@gryffen

No my gp gave me a phone number to call to get booked in. That was in Oct so I called that number again this time. They just told me where to go.
I’ve not seen a midwife yet. I’m not sure if my gp surgery has a midwife. Maybe one who visits a couple days a month.

As far as I’m aware the first time I’d see a midwife would be at my first scheduled appointment on the 15th March at 10 w for the first scan.
I’m going to EPU next Thursday so guess I’ll see a midwife there x

[fidgetsmumx]

Oh that’s so lucky, I wish it was the same here! I’ve had 3 losses and they still won’t see me without referral :(
Good luck!

[squiglyline]

@fidgetsmumx

The midwife I say the last time I was there with my mc said to call and tell whoever answered the phone that I had been told to book in for an early scan. They didn’t question me.

Your gp can refer you though. Just keep phoning them to get an early scan until they are fed up with you phoning and say okay haha.

[gryffen]

Yeah you'll see a midwife and go over your life history etc and the they will take it from there.

Weird thing is a booking appointment should be done before scan as it take a about 2hrs and you get bloods done etc.

Each doctor is different but just weird you won't see one until 10w.

[fidgetsmumx]

My GP said it is up to my MW, I see my midwife on Wednesday. I’ll be almost 9 weeks, so we shall see if she’ll give me one x

[squiglyline]

@gryffen
Do you think I should be calling my gp and asking about this? I should get my letters with the details about it next week at some point.

[squiglyline]

Just got home and got my letters

The appointment on the 15th March is the booking in scan and then on the 3rd April I have my scan which is at 13weeks.

So I’ll have an early scan 22nd Feb
Booking appointment on 15th March
Official 12 weeks scan on 3rd April

[trippingoverrainbows]

Following with interest. I visited GP this week and he gave me details to get my booking in etc done and due to bleeding he said to push for an early scan. Turns out the GP has to directly refer you to EPU. Has this been everyone else's experiences and do you know how long from referral to scan it should be? X

[trippingoverrainbows]

@gryffen I am also in East Ren. Why so hesitant on QEUH? Sorry first baby so excuse my ignorance very new to all this

[gryffen]

Hi Rainbows

In all honesty the building is not fit for purpose and there have many issues with woman coming in in labour and being sent home or away due to no beds or delivering outside due to doors not being answered etc.

I know things like this can happen and that is down to security measures and staffing levels but it's unacceptable in a brand new hospital that maternity unit should have been updated too.
(Two friends delivered outside, one resulting in blue light ambulance due to baby in distress)

When I used the EPU a couple of weeks ago contact was really difficult, took me four hours to reach them and then had 3 days of bleeding to wait on a scan.
The RAH pull you in same day if over 8 weeks and help you settle.

Now as far as I'm aware the EPU is self referal for any problems, has that changed in two weeks or so?

RAH you phone and attend by yourself and Triage is open 24/7.

Yes, issues with each hospital and by all means do your own research (patient reviews or health audits - however you want to do them) but for maternity I will always go to RAH.

[squiglyline]

@gryffen

Thanks for your reply. I’m glad I have a choice, I’ll be sure to speak to the midwife when I see her.

Can I ask where to find patient reviews? They would be very interesting to read.

I know a few people who have opted for wishaw hospital rather than QEU. So there must be a reason. Just feel wishaw is a bit far for me.

Thanks for all your help. I have some research to do.

@trippingoverrainbows
01412012331 is the number for QEU EPU that’s the number I called and called to get an early scan. It is self referral. But as @gryffen says paisley may be you best bet to be seen quicker.

[trippingoverrainbows]

Thanks @squiglyline and @gryffen for the info. I have called the line and left my details so awaiting a call back.

I am not sure if the process has changed or not but when I called the central booking line they said I would need a referral to be seen earlier. So my GP has now referred me. Will likely book an early scan privately though for reassurance as it sounds like this process isn't the most efficient!