Should I complain about our local midwife and if so who to?

[paranoidmother]

I have a 3 yr old DD and 1 yr old DS. Our local midwife was changed whilst I had DD to another older woman who I didn't bond with. I put it down to me not knowing her from start.
After DD was born she came round each day and refused to talk to me and only talked through her assistant.

Then with DS she was still the same, offhand, didn't make any attempt to chat, made me feel like I was lump of meat, then 2 days before DS due didn't want me to go to hosp as couldn't feel him move. I went to hosp and he was breach. Midwife had said he was engaged for the last 5 weeks and anyday now...

Went to doctor and asked not to see midwife again as was a bit emotional at that point. Had to have C-section and didn't really want to at that point.

Then found afterwards that she had been the same with at least 10 other people over the last 2 years. One of these ladies had had a still born baby and then a miscarriage. Midwife was totally unsympathetic and acted like it didn't matter.
With another lady she refused to to an examination and said she should take neurofen for the pain of back ache.

I feel that something is going to go really wrong one day and I should do something about it. I know 10 people who have complained but she hasn't changed (i have a friend with a 1 week old DD).

Who can I go to and what do I say. Will my friends need to say something to?

Please help.

you need to write to the Head of midwifery and possibly the chair of the PCT and outline your own personal story. it should be taken seriously . you need to encourage others to complain in writing too

should have mentioned that she is the senior midwife for our area. Who would be the next one up to go to?

head of midwifery not neccesarily the same as the senior midwife

there will be a clinical lead midwife for ante natal, labour ward and post natal, see if you can find out who that is

if not , there will be a director of maternity services and a consultant midwife

contact PALS to find out the name of the relevant person

You need to ring and ask for name of a hospital supervisor of midwives - great starting point as if you take it up with a supervisor it will be classed an a supervisory issue and as such will need investigating.
Supervisors are there for your protection and have to come out and work with community midwives once a year.I know mine hasn`t had time to work with me for years so maybe she might look into it and supervise her practice in some way.
You can also be allocated another midwife although it may mean travelling.
You could see your gp or become a temp. patient at another surgery for your antenatal and postnatal care.
Your issues should be addressed in writing to SUPERVISOR OF MIDWIVES.
Sorry you had such a bad experience.
I would have been lovely to you x

there you go !! from a MW too, hope you get somewhere with your complaint x

thank you.

I thought it was just me with my 2 but after finding out it isn't I think i'll put it all down on paper and find out who it is in the hospital I should speak to.

At least on paper it will be logical, hopefully.

Thank you for your help