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Original poster

just had a run in with the maternity ward bounty photographer

804 replies

StateofConfusion · 21/12/2012 13:17

And having previously defended them and loved my pictures of my eldest children todays 'rep' has made me agree they need to be removed from wards!

She arrived originally before breakfast turned on the lights and opened curtains waking me and the other Mum up, then continued to talk over the peadiatrician who was checking my dd over.

Eventually she sulked off but apparently came back when I was asleep (how dare I?) Last time she came back as I'd just settled dd and was eating lunch which had just arrived.

I said No photos at the minute thanks she got most insistant that its for security reasons?? (I'm going home today) and said she'd just lean round and take them, dd was asleep on my lap in a v pillow whilst I ate. I said again, not right now I'm eating she left brochures and went off muttering quite loudly.

I'm hormonal so ofc this has upset me, but not as much as the first time mum across they way! WHY are these people allowed to just walk around a maternity ward being so fucking rude!

OP posts:
OhDearNigel · 21/12/2012 14:56

I am friends with my MP, he is quite involved with Health as he has been campaigning about the maternity services in our local Trust - I will ask him about maybe bringing this up as a debate.

OhDearNigel · 21/12/2012 15:01

Have confirmed my email address, when the petition is live (may take up to 7 days apparently) I will post a thread with the link on it

DontmindifIdo · 21/12/2012 15:05

oh, my notes are decanted into a non-Bounty branded pack straight off. In fact this time round I just binned the pack from the midwife without even bothering to look what was in it.

RedToothbrush · 21/12/2012 15:14

I've posted about this before, but I strongly believe that methods routinely used by Bounty break various Trading Standard rules (about approaching people at vulnerable times, approaching people who are unable to leave freely, hard sell tactics, dishonest representation - by saying its for security reasons or you won't get benefits and I think there were a couple of others I can't remember). I doubt anyone has taken it to Trading Standards though, as the obvious place to complain would be to the hospital, who have a vested interest in not pursing complaints. I do think its an angle that someone needs to seriously look at.

Trouble is to take it to Trading Standards you have to have a 'live case' as such. You can't do it purely on historical anecdotes. You need a bunch of people to actively complain. Which obviously is not something that women who've just been in hospital and have a new born to worry about, have at the top of their to do lists. Hence why I don't think anyone's really done this before.

tasmaniandevilchaser · 21/12/2012 15:17

oh state sorry you had a Bounty rep run in, hope you can relax now you've sent her on her way. "for security reasons"????!!!!!! wtf!!

nigel I'd be interested in signing the petition, maybe put a link in here as well?

I never met a Bounty rep with DD but after these horror stories, he/she will be sent packing this time around.

Nivet · 21/12/2012 15:26

Bounty are absolute assholes.

Any responsible data company or mailing house should be using both the MPS linked to earlier and the Bereavement Register to ensure that mail only goes to those that want it.

VisualiseAHorse · 21/12/2012 15:28

Seriously, if a Bounty lady had approached me and kept bothering me I would tell her to Fuck Off and if she came back I would report her.

OhDearNigel · 21/12/2012 15:36

interesting article from 2009

Think it's high time this issue got another airing - especially if the BMJ, NCT etc were behind it.

VisualiseAHorse · 21/12/2012 15:40

OhDear - I shall be signing that petition.

TeeElfOnTeeShelf · 21/12/2012 15:55

So this was brought up in 2009 and it's still going on? Did the Information Commission do anything at the time?

I don't usually sign petitions. This one I'll sign.

cbeebiesatemybrain · 21/12/2012 16:01

OhdearNigel you are a star Smile I will definitely sign and share on facebook.

I forgot to say congratulations op! Does your new dd have a name yet?

charlottehere · 21/12/2012 16:04

What an arse, her not you. Did she expect you to pay for the security photos? Shock

I must admit to being a bit shocked that the bounty lady came into the delivery suite (when all done a nd dusted) to take my details, give me a pack. Hmm

cakesonatrain · 21/12/2012 16:05

Oh god I'd forgotten about the bloody bounty woman! I will be firmly telling her to naff off this time!

MarriedToSonOfAPreacherMan · 21/12/2012 16:20

When I first read about Bounty on MN (having been handed the first pack by my mw so thinking before that they were legit), I went to their website to remove my details. They had my previous rather than my current address - and I was never pg or had any dealings with maternity services when we lived there. So looks like people are selling them details as well as vice versa. Xmas Angry I was all prepared for a run-in when I had DD, but was lucky and got one who was polite and took no for an answer - though she did try to spin me the line about needing the pack for the CB form.

TooImmatureMincePies · 21/12/2012 16:21

I told mine to go away. Think DH was a bit shocked, until I explained afterwards. She seemed a bit stunned too - don't think many new mothers are quite so resistant. I only knew because of MN!

Original poster
StateofConfusion · 21/12/2012 16:30

Thank you ohdearnigel ill keep an eye out for it.

She's called Lily cebeebies

I actually thought they'd removed the bounty lady from our hospital as I didn't see her sooner, and with ds and dd1 she appeared several times a day, dd was born wednesday and I was lulled into a false sense of security, I just couldn't believe the fact that she said, "oh ill just lean over and take a photo" I had to be really firm and it made me feel very vulnerable, I had wonderful mws and support otherwise and feel this has put a dampner on my experience as such. Really wish I had still got the pregnancy rage and had torn her a new one, loudly.

OP posts:
StiffyByng · 21/12/2012 16:37

I had a home birth last time, never bothered getting the packs when pregnant or afterwards and find the whole idea of these reps repellent. How dare they?

By the way, our registrar filled in the CB form with us when we registered the birth. I think this is increasingly common. Really no need for these tacky packs.

LookingForwardToMarch · 21/12/2012 16:38

I like to fill in the wrong details on the form Xmas Smile

topbannana · 21/12/2012 16:42

I used to be a photographer on the maternity ward, though for an independent company rather than Bounty. The company I worked for paid a great deal to the hospital for the privilege of having their photographer on the ward, as well as a donation for every photo sold.
That is why they are allowed to wander around at will and harrass you :)

gwenniebee · 21/12/2012 16:44

Wow! I'm really shocked to hear that. The lady who came round our ward was fairly nice (although she made me think that what I was doing in giving my details was necessary procedure and I had no opt-out). There was no talk of photos. I do get a crap-load of emails from them though.

Emma's Diary - now I know they sold my details despite the fact that I ticked all the boxes to say not to.

OhDearNigel · 21/12/2012 16:46

it's disgusting. So if I paid enough could I wander around any old ward doing what I like ? Although the Saville/Stoke Mandeville seems to indicate "yes you can".

Flash enough cash and you get what you want. Whether you're a supermarket knocking down a primary school, a commercial organisation harassing post natal mothers or a predatory paedophile :(

JenFrankincenseAndMyrrh · 21/12/2012 16:55

I'm glad the hospital I was at doesn't have Bounty reps although after a 4 day labour I could have had a real go at one if they did.

OhDearNigel · 21/12/2012 17:02

Think I might make a request from my local NHS trust under freedom of information how much money they derive from Bounty

ReindeerOutdoors · 21/12/2012 17:08

Hated the bounty woman. I'm a very non confrontational person but this time around I'm determined not to give her any details. Will definitely be signing that petition too.

How are they paid? Presumably on some kind of commission?

stifnstav · 21/12/2012 17:13

I agree about Bounty wholeheartedly. The woman interrupted me every day, even though I had DS's photo taken.

I had 14 days from the date of the photo to return it, otherwise I'd be charged £49.99 for a photo that looked nothing like him (useless for security, pah!)

It took about 10 days for them to arrive, so I was cutting it fine to return them, especially as paternity leave for DH was ending and I couldn't drive after a C Section. Coincidence much?! I bet they delay it on purpose to make it hard to return them.

And Emma's Diary fuck me right off with their spammy emails telling me to get DS a Junior ISA. Babies don't usually pay tax, so what use is a fucking ISA?! Fuck off Emma!