To be really unhappy with this (lack of) medical care.

[Goldfishshoals]

During my pregnancy I had a complication. I was hospitalised and seen by a consultant at a hospital some distance from where I live (hospital A). After getting better enough to go home, the consultant suggested that nothing further (different scans and medication) could be given at the time without endangering the baby, and suggested a follow up after the birth when it would be possible. He then asked if I wanted to continue to be seen by him at hospital A, or be seen by a colleague at hospital B, which is just down the road from me.

I was worried about travel with a small baby etc (first time mum!) so opted for hospital B. I was told I should just wait and would get an appointment.

Several months after the appointment should have been I chased with hospital B who eventually gave me an appointment (6 months after I should have been).

I turned up to see a nurse instead of the consultant who told me she didn't have my medical records, had no idea why I was there, and asked me what further treatment I was expecting (um, I'm not a doctor, I don't know what the consultant was thinking, he had mentioned the possibility of scans and medication names that I'd forgotten by then).

She said the only thing she could do is ask for a repeat of a scan I had already had done and 'start again'.

I reluctantly had the scan, and returned again today to still not see the consultant, just the same nurse who told me that based on the scan the best course of action was to 'continue as things are' (i.e. do nothing). When I asked about the risks of me having another pregnancy she couldn't answer my questions.

I can't help feeling I've fucked up by moving hospitals as the consultant at hospital A clearly thought that it was worth investigating further, not to mention was a person who knew something about my condition and could answer questions.

I have no idea what to do now. I am so upset by the whole thing.

It sounds like an admin issue here rather than a medical complaint or lack of care. It's ridiculous they didn't have your medical notes, and if you're in the UK they are easily transferable between NHS hospitals so that should have been done.

However, sometimes 'do nothing' really is the best course of action. I'm sorry, I know that's not what people want to hear. Medical staff have different opinions, in many conditions/reading of scans/treatment options. As long as they can back up their decision with medical evidence it's not a lack of care.

And asking what you expected is also common. That's not to say you have to know, but I'd say over half of my patients have an idea of what they want, and opening that line of communication is good. It allows us to discuss your ideas/ thoughts and explain why that may not be relevant or possible.

Sorry, I meant to add, you should be able to get a referral back to the first consultant if you wanted. Either via GP or by calling the consultants secretary. The nurse may not be wrong in suggesting doing nothing, but it's also possible to get a second opinion, and you may prefer those treatment options.

I am in the UK (NHS hospitals).

I would have a lot more confidence in 'doing nothing is the best course of action' if I had been able to speak to someone who knew anything about my condition (not criticising the nurse for not being an expert, of course, but I was under the impression I was moving to another consultant who would be able to give me medical advice that she obviously couldn't).

I can't help feeling aggrieved that there were all these options I was told about while pregnant that have all vanished without explanation now.

I was never referred by my GP to the original consultant, so I don't know how that works.

I will feel bad if I push for a go appointment and a referral back just to hear the same advice, but I don't see how I can be sure it's the correct course of action without actually talking to a doctor who knows something about my condition!

It's completely within your rights to ask for the second opinion, in your case I would too, even if just for peace of mind.

A lot of clinics do have specialist nurses though who can give medical advice on conditions which they're trained in. Again, I'm not saying she is right, but don't think just because she was a nurse she didn't know anything. Unless she told you she hadn't heard of your condition, of course. I do think even a consultant, with literally no information on the history/diagnosis/problems/results due to the lack of notes would have struggled to answer everything satisfactorily. It's usual practice for the referring physician to write a letter to the new team, so I would query why that wasn't done.

I would call the hospital of consultant A, either through the hospitals switchboard or the ward you were on. Each trust has a different policy but you may be able to request as appointment just as a previous patient.

You may also try going through PALS. I don't think your nurse did anything wrong, but explaining the situation, a small complaint about lack of records (especially if this was also the case on apppintment 2) and advice on how to proceed may be helpful.

I hope you get the answers you are looking for