Naffed off with consultant at the Rosie - what to do?

[MBB]

Sorry about this rant, but am not a little confused and angry about the total waste of time (mine) and money (NHS) I have just experienced, not to mention the complete lack of care shown. Today I had an appt with a consultant at the Rosie in Cambridge,at 34 wks, as I'd had problems with my back during and after my last preg (last year) and at the beginning of this pregnancy. I had been told (at 12 wks appt) that this was to monitor the condition of my back and to establish whether it would be ok to have an epidural. DH took the afternoon off work to look after DS and I waited an hour before I was seen. On getting in, a healthcare assistant did the wee sample thingy and took my blood pressure. Then the consultant came in and prodded one ankle with his finger, measured the bump with a tape measure and listed to the baby's heartbeat. In short, everything (BUT NOTHING MORE) than my midwife will do at my normal antenatal appt next week. During this time he asked why I was there - explained was to monitor the condition of my back. He said "what have we done for you so far?" to which I replied well nothing much as this is the first time I've seen anybody re my back. He then said it would be different in France as they have continuity of care throughout pregnancy which is very like an arranged marriage, and continued to extole the virtues of arranged marriages. He then grabbed both wrists to pull me into a sitting position, leaving go when I was only halfway up, at which point the HCA rushed forward saying "mind your back" - well yes, that's why I was there!!!!! The consultant then said come back at 40wks and left the room. I sat there like a complete lemon waiting for something else to happen till i was ushered out of the room by the HCA. At no point did this man even ask me how my back was, had i been having any problems etc (which I have as it happens). I could kick myself now as I just left without saying anything - I was literally speechless. What was the point of being there? He did nothing. How much does this consultant get paid for measing bumps and listening to heartbeats - which, with all due respect to my bump, was not why I was there. This appt was to check MY health and fitness, I have every faith in my midwife and own GP to look after my bump.

I'm sorry for going on so long but I'm still a bit flabbergasted by the whole thing. Does anyone in the know think there's any point in complaining, and if so, how is this done? Thanks.

MBB, no experience but could you ring the head of midwifery tomorrow and talk to him/her about it? Sounds awful and I'm not surprised you're fuming, just wanted to sympathise really. What a waste of everyones time hey? Who made the appointment for you? What did they expect to come out of it? Can you talk to them? Hope you get some answers and better treatment soon.

MBB, no experience but could you ring the head of midwifery tomorrow and talk to him/her about it? Sounds awful and I'm not surprised you're fuming, just wanted to sympathise really. What a waste of everyones time hey? Who made the appointment for you? What did they expect to come out of it? Can you talk to them? Hope you get some answers and better treatment soon.

MBB - I'd express your anger to the midwife next time you see her, and ask her to change your consultant. You have every right to do this - request an appointment with your new consultant as soon as possible

might also add MBB, that I'm not really sure any consultant would do much more really - just take the time to chat more about how things are. You really need an appointment with a consultant anaesthetist re: problems with your back and viability for epidural. Again, your midwife should be able to arrange this for you

I had been assigned a consultant when booking in the hospital... even after dd's heart condition was discovered at the 20 week scan - I still did not meet him. Around about 32 weeks I had a 5 minute appt with him .. he did the same as yours although he did not try and lift me up to a sitting position. He told me what had been sent in a report from the fetal cardiologist ( had my own copy and read it) and told me he would see me if I went over time. He told me nothing else about what would happen at the birth - learnt that from head Paed. of SCBU again.

Ended up having and emergency caesarean - once again no consultant - he was on holidays. Saw the man once for 5 minutes so I too wonder the worth of them....

And YES you should complain... the hospital would have a complaints procedure which you can call and ask the hospital for the information to be sent to you and talk to your midwife and let her know how unsatisfactory this is....

Not sure that is much help ... but wanted to share my consultant exp.... to make you feel like you were not the only one.....

The Addenbrookes complaints procedure (which I assume covers the Rosie too) is here ... what a goon that consultant sounds.

MBB - reading your post i wondered if I had written it!!! I have had an almost identical experience at Milton Keynes!!! see thread 'unhappy with standard of care' And yes what a bloody waste of time! I have had several spinal operations (have bolts and srews and replacement discs etc) which haven't solved by back problem, but nonetheless I requsted to be referred to see a consultant specifically to discuss my spinal problem, effects of birth, csection, spinal blocks etc. And like you, husband came with me, we thought it was a really important appointment...took along spinal xrays...only to have my wee tested, blood pressure etc and belly poked...a routine antenatal clinic. Totally p*ed off we too were so flabbergasted that we couldnt say anything...oh and it wasnt even the consultant it was his registrar. For our second appointment we got to see consultant for 90 secs.... told me to book my csec with woman outside and again we were shunted off and told to return at 36 weeks!!!! no discussion, no reassurance...And funnily enough... after the belly prodding, and not being offered help to get off the trolley, was lectured about how to get up without damanging my back!!!! I briefly said how impossible it is to roll over on something that narrow with such a large belly without falling off!! could have punched her. When I got home i read my notes and was astonished to see that she had written that I was experiencing no problems with my back dispite me telling her the complete opposite!!! So dont worry you aint alone... although I can't belive that this seems to be the standard of care we have to put up with. The person I have found most useful was the consult. anaesthetist.... spent around an hour discusssing my back problems and my options for anaesthesia...at the end of the day you are most likely to get some sense out of aneasthetist because they have the most delicate procedures to perform on your back and spine...ask your GP/midwife or phone the maternity unit and ask for a consultation with one.... they are usually happy to help. Both me and my husband have had years of back pain and have tried all sorts of treatments...we're pretty clued up so if you need any info/advice I'd be happy to offer an opinion or point you in the right direction if i can. As for making a complaint...I was considering doing the same but frankly wonder if it would make the slightest bit of difference.... ask for a different consultant instead.... this one wont even notice you've changed. Good luck...keep me posted!

MBB I also had a very peculiar meeting with a consultant at the Rosie about my third child (DS1 and Ds2 born in London and Derby)and this was to discuss necessity for elective section and problems with previous emergency section. He didn't have any notes or any information on me, and entirely relied upon my understanding of previous section. Then he repeatedly asked me if I wanted to be sterilized during the operation and told me we'd have to hope for the best and I should hope that an experienced surgeon would be on duty for my section! Hopeless, and very upsetting at the time. However end result was a lovely section with charming surgeon, beautiful baby daughter and a very high standard of post-natal care. So don't let him put you off the Rosie altogether!

I would advise using the patient liaison service at the link mentioned above - I think you will get a good result from this. Much better than just putting up with poor treatment!

Spod, been away for a while. How are you getting on with your antenatal care. Hope all is well and sorted.

Ma1 - saw my GP for antenatal check and told her that I was unhappy about the hospital care... she was sympathetic etc but basically said that the hospital wont guarentee a named consult or anaethetist as the NHS runs like an emergency service and they can never guarentee who will be there on the day! not really the answer i was hoping for.... I cant see why, barring a last minute emergency admission that they cannot assign specific people... I am grown up enough to understand that emergencies happen and things may change. Another thing occurred to me... that as I am booked in for 39 weeks... what happens if I go into labour early and those on duty are registrars/less experienced... more risky? My GP says she will write to the consult and tell him of my concerns regarding spinal stuff and blood disorder etc and that shes sure he will contact me or my spinal consult in lindon if he thinks necessary....what about me talking things through with him? wheres my reassurance. Still not happy but dont know what else to do

I would definitely make a complaint.
Hope everything goes well for the both of you.

thanks for the addenbrokes link Babster. I called the Patient liason number and told them I wanted to raise my concerns, she asked if I wished to do this as a complaint, and if so could I put it in writing to them. I have to admit I haven't actually done this yet but will get round to it in the next couple of days. I'll also have a word with my midwife on thursday re speaking to the aneasthetist. thanks again