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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:
MrsPear · 19/03/2017 16:38

You can turn up anywhere for a maternity crisis. I did with ds1. Although I did ring and tearfully explain that I am pretty sure it was labour. She said come straight in. I was rushed through and a doctor examined me - I was admitted straight away. I had no notes - h sent a friend to go and get them. The only thing the midwife moaned at was the size of knickers. And no one told me off for going out for dinner on the other side of London with no notes at 29 weeks either!

Aeroflotgirl · 19/03/2017 16:38

If your still concerned go to A&e

MrsPear · 19/03/2017 16:38

And didn't Samantha Cameron have her baby at a hospital in the south west whilst on holiday?!

AwaywiththePixies27 · 19/03/2017 16:40

The midwife had a duty of care to me and my baby, especially given the circumstances.

She most certainly did.

I also dont understand this we wont have tour notes thing, they dont need them you carry your own around when you're pg don't you? From what I can remember anyway.
Even if the OP didnt have her notes on her couldn't they be easily accessed? I once had a physiotherapist appointment where the physio pulled up an old MRI of mine on his laptop. If he can do that remotely I'm sure they can share data just as well with other hospitals for more pressing things!

Did you get seen in the end OP? By someone at least. Sorry if you've already said and I missed it.

Maudlinmaud · 19/03/2017 16:42

This doesn't sound good at all. Why would a midwife turn away a heavily pregnant woman with known complications?

AwaywiththePixies27 · 19/03/2017 16:42

JessieMillz25 I was admitted with reduced movements to begin with (then developed further complications). DS is 8 now so not a recent thing really.

MrsDoylesladder · 19/03/2017 16:46

Complain- what a bitch. You're not a brood mare; you are a human.

Original poster
Toobloodytired · 19/03/2017 16:50

Not been seen.

I went back to friends & led down for a few more hours....the midwife made me feel a bit paranoid & I didn't want to be turned away from yet another hospital & end up getting arrested for kicking off.

I bought more chocolate & fizzy drinks & led down....I managed to get enough movements to stop me from worrying.

I'm seeing my usual midwife tomorrow.

I didn't get the midwifes name but I will give enough info on her should they need it to identify it.

I won't accept someone simply saying "sorry this happened but we were busy & you were out of area".....tough, I was happy to wait until they'd dealt with women who'd been admitted!

I won't lie, it took a hell of a lot not to punch her in the face (obviously I didn't but I was so angry!)

It also took a lot of strength not to cry....she made me feel like my baby didn't matter! She may as well have said "sorry! We don't care about baby's outside of our area".

I want an apology from her.

OP posts:
JessieMillz25 · 19/03/2017 16:52

AwaywiththePixies27
Thank you! It was a very very long time ago my mum had me Blush.

TurnipCake · 19/03/2017 16:54

OP please contact an obstetric unit and go in for monitoring. I always tell my patients it's our job to reassure them about movements, not for the patients to reassure themselves

Even if you don't know the name of this person, they'll look at the rotas and see who was covering at the time

But prioritise and go in for monitoring first please, even if it's elsewhere

helpimitchy · 19/03/2017 16:56

YANBU women should be able to go out and about whilst pregnant and be able to access an assessment in the case of worrying symptoms. It's not a lot to ask Sad

Hope you and the baby are okay.

Soubriquet · 19/03/2017 16:57

Don't wait until tomorrow. Call your unit and go now. Especially if movements are still low

pilates · 19/03/2017 16:58

So sorry for you TBT, that is awful and yes you should complain and yes reduced movement is somethythat should be taken seriously especially in the later stages of pregnancy Sad

womaninatightspot · 19/03/2017 16:58

I had OC in my first pregnancy and when I went to London for a weekend (by train) I was told to take my notes and present myself at the nearest available maternity unit should problems arise. Was also told the same when I was carrying twins although I did't end up going very far. Not unreasonable that OP would of been told the same.

PossumInAPearTree · 19/03/2017 16:59

You really should be seen today.

Either find another hospital if you're in a city or ring back the hospital you went to earlier, ask to be put through to labour ward, ask the lw coordinator to get a supervisor of midwives to ring you back. Tell her what happened and ask her what you should do.

TheCuriousOwl · 19/03/2017 16:59

OK with the extra info you should definitely complain because she should have seen you.

If you are going home today could you pop in to your unit tonight to the labour ward/MAU? Just to have a heart rate trace of baby? It would put your mind at rest even if movements have gone back to normal.

Original poster
Toobloodytired · 19/03/2017 17:00

Just had a look online about the complaints procedure but it says I should call them to ask.

If they don't have one then I contact PALS.

Just called but advised the midwife is with someone and to call back in 10.....not a problem, il call back in 10!

I'm intrigued to find out if the midwife is the same one as last night.

OP posts:
womaninatightspot · 19/03/2017 17:00

Hadn't read the whole thread but yes do get yourself seen.

TheCuriousOwl · 19/03/2017 17:00

Also- if you complain I guarantee they will be able to identify her because people aren't like this in an isolated incident. She will have 'form' for that sort of tone etc I bet you.

TheCuriousOwl · 19/03/2017 17:01

Also- if you complain I guarantee they will be able to identify her because people aren't like this in an isolated incident. She will have 'form' for that sort of tone etc I bet you.

Benedikte2 · 19/03/2017 17:02

I hope tomorrow's appointment is reassuring OP.
Do let A's know the outcome of your complaint re the MW

AwaywiththePixies27 · 19/03/2017 17:03

the midwife made me feel a bit paranoid & I didn't want to be turned away from yet another hospital & end up getting arrested for kicking off.

^^ and this is why professionals need pulling into line when they make patients feel like the above poster and too scared to go back and try and access help again. Free service or not.

toobloodytired please don't wait.

Try a really cold drink. The MWs used to make me drink water that was ice cold to 'wake baby up' and get movements from DS.
If the really cold drink doesn't get him moving you ideally should be seen before tomorrow. ^

PossumInAPearTree · 19/03/2017 17:05

A cold drink is no longer considered good advice. If you're worried then you're worried and trying a cold drink won't change this because even if baby starts moving after a drink it doesn't alter the fact they had reduced move,ent prior to this.

Soubriquet · 19/03/2017 17:07

You can be assertive without being abusive

Excuse me. I am x weeks pregnant, I have OC and I've been getting reduced movements. I'm very worried so I've come here.

Midwife fobs you off

Sorry, I'm not leaving until I'm reassured. Is there someone else I can speak to?

Midwife tries to fob off

I will go and complain to PALs if you do not take my complaint seriously

SuperFlyHigh · 19/03/2017 17:08

I'd complain to be honest as you were treated appallingly. As a pregnant woman you were following your current hospital's procedure for if you were out of their area.

But don't expect an apology ASAP if at all, my reasons, my mum went to a pre-booked appointment with an A&E doctor during the Christmas period, he sent her away with "you have a virus go home". She was admitted 2 days later with sepsis and pneumonia and almost died. She complained but no apology as yet.

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