Incorrectly labelled 'drug user'

[MissDaisy18]

I recently posted about being unclear why we had been booked in for 6 scans – we thought that it might be because of a) age b) pretty bad morning sickness. Going back to our first appointment, the consultant asked us ‘when was the last time you used injection drugs?’ – ‘Never’ was the answer – (never ever touched them!) apparently on the midwife’s first visit she had selected ‘yes’ to IV drug use from a drop down menu but having now informed the consultant we assumed that this was all sorted so our scans were for a different reason.
At our first growth scan we asked if all people of a certain age have these additional scans and the radiographer said it was because of a history of drug use – we restated that this wasn’t the case and she told us that it was quite funny but we needed to get it removed from our records.

However our post-scan consultation was cancelled so we didn’t see a consultant again until after scan #4 – we asked the consultant and he said that he had sorted it out and he reprinted all our notes – we thought this was fine until we got home and in large bold writing on the most recent scan report is written: ‘PATIENT HAS A HISTORY OF DRUG ABUSE’.

So this is quite frustrating now. I’m sure that we can get this removed from our records however it seems like we have gone down the extra scan pathway purely on the basis of the incorrectly recorded data. Given that the NHS recommends no more scans than is necessary we’re just upset that after pointing out a mistake to multiple people nothing is done about it.

That all said - at the last scan the baby was measured at the 90th percentile and the consultant told us that if he gets bigger than 90th pc then they’ll need to do tests for gestational diabetes – so it sounds like maybe it’s now important that we do have the next scans?

Just wondering – what are people’s thoughts?

1. Do we need to make a formal complaint in order to have the reference removed from medical records?
2. Should we be concerned about these additional scans – it’s reassuring but we were reading the NHS guidance on ‘souvenir scans’ which suggests scans shouldn’t be carried out if not medically necessary. Although given that the baby is now very big maybe they are now necessary anyway so we should be glad of them?

MD

I would ring your mw and ask them. Tell them you're not happy about the mistake and ask for it to be corrected on all files. Ask why you're having the extra 4 scans. Are you consultant led now then? Ask why-it could seriously affect where you can give birth.

I don't think we're consultant led - we still see the MW (I think at the normal intervals) but after every scan we have a chat to a consultant. Sorry I didn't mention above but we also told the MW and her advice was also 'you should try to get that sorted' :(

You should try to get that sorted

Erm..no, you should get that sorted! If it was a mw error to start with they should take responsibility for making sure it's amended. I would outright ask 'why am I having these extra scans? Am I mw led or consultant led? Is the option of home birth/mlu still available to me?'. It must be very frustrating for you. I had lots of an extra scan with dd because ds had been born below the 10th centile, having had the extra scan it emerged that dd was small too so I then had to go for weekly scans, even after they showed she was growing normally, just small. Of course they were just being thorough but, as the sonographer (who thought so many scans was ridiculous )said at the time, once they start looking they always find something. It would be a shame if your birth preferences are limited because of a simple error.

If you have more children, those notes will be brought out (when I had my second, they got had the notes from my first pregnancy when I went to my first appointment).
They are going to follow you around, will be passed onto your health visitor service and you could end up getting some unwanted surprise visits etc.

I'd be on the phone to your midwife tomorrow to sort it out and do not stop until you've seen that every reference to drug use has been removed.

I would be on the phone to PALS to get their help in getting it removed, you could go to the supervisor of midwives but PALS is probably quicker.

My notes incorrectly stated that DD was premature. The midwife had to go back and ammend the records manually but they did it immediately. It's outrageous that it's still on your notes.

I was going to suggest PALS. You've tried to get it off your notes by talking to the consultant, you've talked to at least one other HCP about the mistake, the blithering idiots haven't done anything to correct it. Now is the time to kick up the most almighty stink through the official complaints procedure.

You need to get that amended as there is potential you will be put on the list for parents who need extra support and from there SS and so on.

Which could be very stressful.

Also if you leave it and try to get it taken off later they might not believe you as why didn't you try to get it changed before etc.

Yes, to PALS, but in writing, with copies to consultant and your GP.
The long term consequences of this being on your records are potentially devastating.
If you don't get a reply, with copies of the amended record, within a fairly short space of time ( say 5 working days) chase it up.

This happened to me but with my GP notes! They accuse files a piece of paper from another patient into my file, and I was listed as a heroin addict! I only found out when I got pregnant and GP asked how I was going to cope. Managed to get it removed from my notes before I saw the midwife luckily.
I agree with others go through PALS and push for an apology as well

I’d definitely log it with PALS, even just to print out as evidence if needed one day, they should also help

Tut tut they are holding incorrect data on you which contravening the original data protection act and now the GDPR! I hope they sort it for you OP.

It might be helpful to remind them that under the Data Protection Act, they are required to ensure that information held is accurate.

Crossposted with savagebaggage!

Thanks for all these messages, completely understand the importance and urgency.

Additionally, re: scans - should we insist these are cancelled as well?

Are you only due one more? I wouldn't insist on the scans being cancelled, just the notes being correct.

We're due two more (31 and 34 weeks)

We're just frustrated that it seems like these weren't necessary - given the recent NHS guidance about no more scans than is medically necessary - although we're aware that lots of people have lots of scans.

Although everybody at the clinic seems to be slightly vague when we ask questions about why we needed these scans - as they were ordered by a doctor who we haven't seen since our 12 week scan (and who DID know that there wasn't a history of drug us). And it sounded like they wanted to keep an eye on baby's size now as he was on the 90th percentile line. So maybe it's ultimately a good thing that we're being carefully monitored!?

MW appt today and waiting for PALS to call back.

I had a similar experience, something had been noted on my medical history which was untrue which then triggered "additional 2 weekly scans" .

At first I didn't know why so with the consultant after the 3rd scan, I asked why these were necessary and he said "well because your medical history states X y and z" I corrected him and said that's not true, I don't have those issues. (Sorry for being vague but don't want to out myself)

Anyway I asked for the additional scans to be cancelled he said he would sort it. Then 2 weeks later I get a phone call saying I've missed my scan. I said the consultant cancelled them they are not needed.

I though no more of it, a week later the community midwife turns up at my door unannounced, and I was like oh hello, what are you here for? She said something along the lines they are concerned I'm not attending my scans and they are needed because of my medical history. Well I've not got the best of tempers and I've a self admitted short fuse...

I exclaimed "listen enough of this fucking about, that's not my medical history I don't have those medical issues, I'm not wasting anymore of my time and money dragging my sore pregnant arse to hospital for scans I don't fucking need"

Midwife began to stutter "but...but" "I said no buts,fucking sort it out and don't come back to me or call me till you have"

Following week I had a letter apologising and the incorrect medical conditions had been removed from my notes.

Sometimes you just have to call them out in their incompetence. That community midwife refused to visit me again, ooops...