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Original poster

To make a complaint against midwife who turned me away

252 replies

Toobloodytired · 19/03/2017 14:26

So yesterday, I was feeling a bit worried as baby had gone a little quiet, his movements had reduced (not stopped), I've been staying with a friend in her area which is outside of where I normally receive my usual pregnancy care.

I tried to ring the hospital to get advice but after so many calls I had to go in.

Saw a healthcare assistant who asked if I had an app and my name, told her my name & said no, then very rudely replied with "well I'm still going to need your name aren't I!"

So I firmly replied with "I just told you my name was .....".

She went off to speak with the midwife right outside the door, midwife was asking a lot for of questions & finally came in to see me.

She then told me that I had to go back to the hospital who normally deals with me as they don't have a computer system & know nothing of me, I informed her I brought my notes which would tell her everything they needed to know.

She told me it didn't matter Hmm

She then "advised me to go to my hospital of care"

I asked "are you telling me you won't check to make sure the baby was okay?

She then repeated "I advise you to go to the hospital who usually deals with you".

I then very firmly asked again, "so you are turning me away & wont monitor me?"

Her reply?

"Yes, we are a bit busy too".

She turned me away, told me to go to the hospital I usually deal with even though I explained I was completely out of area, she then lied & said my notes made no difference, which is shite. Then told me I had to leave even though I was concerned about my sons movements.

I'm 36+2 btw.

OP posts:
aurynne · 20/03/2017 09:18

Although I work in a different country, I cannot imagine any of the hospitals in my area (primary, secondary or tertiary) or midwife-led unit turning down a woman who presents with reduced movements, regardless whether or not she has "her paperwork" with her.

If they were so busy that the waiting time would be unacceptable and put your baby at risk, they should have said so and offer an alternative place for monitoring.

I would also recommend to complain.

meettherussians · 20/03/2017 09:22

100% complain!! Anyone who says otherwise is utterly mad.

MapMyMum · 20/03/2017 09:31

Deffinatly complain. Reduced foetal movements can be fatal if not checked properly.

TurnipCake · 20/03/2017 09:46

flyingspaghettimonster

Listening in with a sonicaid is not sufficient at OPs gestation for someone presenting with reduced foetal movements.

And when you triage MAU, you need to aim to get a patient on the monitor as soon as you can.

Case in point, woman came in with reduced movements. Midwife asked if we could send her down for a scan as a space became available. Said no, needed monitoring first. The trace was pre-terminal and the baby needed 20 minutes of resus before heart sounds were heard after a crash section.

Decreased foetal movements do not need referral by a doctor, other HCP or A&E, and in desperate times, self referral by just turning up is fine

RapidlyOscillating · 20/03/2017 10:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Topuptheglass · 20/03/2017 10:35

Definitely complain.

And maybe ring your local paper?

maialady · 20/03/2017 10:41

I had a minor crash at 20 weeks I had a bit of pain so I was taken 2 hrs away from my normal hospital as I was closer at the time at a and e after a wait a dr brought in a portable scanner and checked baby over. I think she could have easily informed you to go to a and e if the midwifery service was too busy

MontePulciana · 20/03/2017 11:10

Complain. This isn't right. I had reduced movement last weekend when I was in Leicestershire at a christening - my main care is in Manchester. Phoned Leicester who told me to come in straight away, they didn't care about my notes. They were being lazy.

RapidlyOscillating · 20/03/2017 13:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Toobloodytired · 20/03/2017 13:14

I didn't need to inform the midwife my pregnancy was high risk as telling her I have OC & am being induced on Saturday told her everything she needed to know.

As I went into hospital last night & spent 6 hours there I didn't call the unit back to find out about the complaints procedure so will look into it today.

OP posts:
Original poster
Toobloodytired · 20/03/2017 13:15

I didn't have a scan, I had one less than a week ago.

OP posts:
RapidlyOscillating · 20/03/2017 13:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GoldenWorld · 20/03/2017 13:36

Definitely complain. The problem for them would have been that at 36 weeks with OC and reduced movements, it was likely you could have ended up delivering there. It involves extra admin like getting you a hospital number for their computer system and doing another booking appointment and your booking bloods again. It seems ridiculous but they can't go on other hospital's notes, they have to have their own blood test results on their system.

So seeing someone from another hospital involves more work for them. But that's life, being busy is no excuse and you should have been seen.

remoaniac · 20/03/2017 13:42

being busy is no excuse and you should have been seen

This. Definitely complain.

I had my ds 14 years ago and I was told to take my notes if I went outside my area. I very much doubt anything has changed. You can't stay near your own hospital for 9 months!

Original poster
Toobloodytired · 20/03/2017 13:42

Rapidly, I wasn't kicking off lol.

I thought I'd cover that I'd recently had a scan before anyone questioned that too!

OP posts:
Original poster
Toobloodytired · 20/03/2017 13:44

When I asked the midwife for her opinion & advice, she asked if I was planning on going away, told her I had been.

She didn't sit & give me a grilling for going away "so close to giving birth", she said I can simply give birth wherever I choose!

OP posts:
Marilynsbigsister · 21/03/2017 12:48

You are absolutely right OP. There is no other discussion. Funding cuts/busy/no appointment/ out of area is simply not relevant to reduced foetal movements in a late term pregnancy with or without OC. It is actually that black and white. MW in the wrong. Make a complaint or it could happen again with even worse consequences.

Original poster
Toobloodytired · 22/03/2017 12:22

What a lot don't realise is we live within our means....if we are offered a service, we will rely on said service.

It's not fair to then turn round & say "oh we are simply too busy, you'll have to just pray your baby is okay & go home because I haven't the time to deal with you".

I wasn't trying to get my sky broadband sorted, I was trying to check my baby was okay

People yap on about not using dopplers & only relying on a trained professional but as soon as I do that, I'm flamed for relying on the NHS as they are overstretched!

Please, make your minds up.

A couple of times in the past I've posted threads asking advice & been told off & told to go to hospital & not be asking advice on forums....Hmm apologies for not wanting to add to the strain on the NHS!

OP posts:
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 22/03/2017 13:25

I cannot understand anyone who is saying you were being unreasonable, @Toobloodytired.

A mother with a history of OC, and reduced foetal movements needs to be checked. You went to the closest maternity unity - presumably, if you had been able to get to your own hospital, you would have done so - and were rudely refused treatment/assessment. You weren't expecting routine care from this hospital - you were presenting with an urgent need.

hellsbellsmelons · 22/03/2017 13:47

Fuck me there are some thick people on this thread.

You know you can highlight the OP's posts so when you scroll you can at least read those before you spout off about shit you know nothing about!

Weird weird weird!!!!

hellsbellsmelons · 22/03/2017 13:51

Glad all is OK OP.
Good luck with everything on Saturday.

ShelaghTurner · 22/03/2017 13:56

Some people here must be on glue. You are pregnant, you have your notes, you had cause for concern, you went to the nearest MAU. Entirely correct. Anyone who says otherwise is wrong.

I'm glad all is well OP Flowers Wishing you a safe and stress free delivery on Saturday FlowersBrew

dowhatnow · 22/03/2017 14:04

Haven't read all of the thread but from what i have read I have no idea why the op is having such a hard time.
The midwife was failing her duty of care as far as I can see. It's lucky for her there were no serious consequences. Perhaps it wasn't the wisest move in the world going so far so close to the delivery but she took her notes and was confident of the back up plan advise by her own midwife.

Op good luck for the birth and get that complained about so that it doesn't happen to any other mothers in the same situation, thus preventing any serious consequences.

LagunaBubbles · 22/03/2017 14:17

Why are so many people still banging on about not being able to just show up at a MAU? Yes you can - the OP was told this by her midwife!

Original poster
Toobloodytired · 22/03/2017 14:33

Thanks all!

If I had been close to home then of course like Sunday, I'd have gone there!

Personally I'd rather go where I know, I didn't turn up for the fun of it.

Anyways, baby is okay, that's all I was concerned about.

Fingers crossed they have a bed for me at the hospital on Saturday so I can meet my baby!

Thank you for the kind wishes xx

OP posts:
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