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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Should I complain?

30 replies

mckenzie · 23/09/2004 17:30

My DH and I decided, with the help of a lots of Mumsnet girls, that we would not have any of the tests on offer for Downs syndrome or spina bifida etc (as an older mum we were offered extra tests as a formality). We made it clear that we didn't want any tests at all.
When the midwife took some blood at my last appointment I didn't give it another thought as I know they check for iron levels etc and she didn't tell me what she was taking the blood for so imagine our shock when we got a letter yesterday giving us the results of the Downs syndrome and spina bifida tests!
As it happens the letter says that i am low risk (1 in 530) but what if it was different?
I dont want to complain just to cause a fuss and certainly not for any retribution but I think that the system should be such that a mistake like this, unless just a one off human error, should not be allowed to happen.
What do you think?

OP posts:

allthegirls · 23/09/2004 17:33

I would write a letter saying exactly what you have just said to us! You just make a point not complain as such.

I think it is awful that that can be allowed to happen.

Nice to know you are at a low risk but even still as you say it could have gone the other way!!!

cab · 23/09/2004 17:35

I think it would be reasonable to ask for an explanation mckenzie and hope the answer comes back that it is not their policy to ignore parents' wishes. I wonder if perhaps there were crossed wires and 'they' thought you meant no amnio??

Turtle35 · 23/09/2004 19:01

I personally would be furious. This is not something to mess around with. Sorry but I would write a letter asking for an explanation and consider whether I would want to continue my care there, that's if you have a choice I guess.

Mosschops30 · 23/09/2004 19:06

Message withdrawn

midden · 23/09/2004 19:54

pretty shocking! I too am pleased results were ok but cannot imagine the situation you would have been in if they hadn't been, there is just no room for that kind of mistake, somone somewhere has either not read your notes or forgotten to write your wishes on them. I would ring the AIMS (Association for improvement in maternity services) helpline on 08707651433 and ask their advice on what the best course of action is, their website is here

Angeliz · 23/09/2004 20:08

I would be FURIOUS!
I am pregnant at the moment and was asked about this at 8 weeks and said i didn't think i'd want it. I am now 18 weeks and haven't since been asked but i have actually thought, if they want blood i'll check what it's for. (Not that i should have to but they made such a huge cock up with my actual blood tests that i would've felt the need!).
I think you need to complain to protect other women from hearing MAYBE news they didn't want to and ruining the rest of their pregnancy! Thank the Lord yours was low risk and you don't have to worry but imagine if another woman has decided she does'nt want to know and is told she is high risk!

EvesMama · 23/09/2004 20:20

i agree with turtle! if you cant trust them with something you specifically informed them about, can you trust them in the later stages? make an appointment and talk to who ever took the blood and ask why she took it upon herself to do this?

Thunderbird1 · 23/09/2004 20:25

I would complain or at least make my feelings very clear. It seems to be a pretty basic cock up on their part & goes against your specific wishes.

ladymuck · 23/09/2004 20:38

In one sense I am curious as to what test they did, because it sounds an unusual one, and I'm aurprised that your normal midwife would have done it (from memory I would have gone to a different hospital for any tests).

That said, I believe that any such blood test which is undertaken without your consent constitues an invasion of privacy. You should certainly draw attention to this error in order to prevent similar error happening in the future.

beansprout · 23/09/2004 20:38

I agree with the others. What is the point of asking you if they are going to go ahead anyway? Do you have a choice over your care? I changed mine after I lost confidence with the place I was originally booked at and am glad I did. I think some trust in the place that is caring for us is v. important indeed!

TraceyP · 23/09/2004 21:00

Yes, you should complain. You have the right to refuse these tests and you have had them foisted upon you. I realise that the risks have come back low, but imagine your heartache if they had not. Having made the decision that you didn't want to know, you have every right to make a complaint, or at the very least ask for an explanation.

Original poster

mckenzie · 23/09/2004 21:07

I think i will write to the head of Midwifery at the hospital and just give the facts and ask for an explanation.
I dont want to cause trouble but as you've all said, how horrible if this happens to someone else and the results are not good.

OP posts:

Ronniebaby · 23/09/2004 21:18

I had to have blood today for the 28 weeks etc, and I asked the Nurse what each vial was for

And asked her to explain it too.

You shouldnt have been put in that situation.

Especially to get it in a letter, my results were waiting at the hospital when I ask why I wasnt send them they said they dont like to, they like to explain everything, in case there are queries etc.

I would write asking for an explanation as you expressed your wishes as not wanting them.

Flossam · 23/09/2004 21:30

Yes! Simply. Not on. I'm sure you should have to consent for tests like this. Let us know how you get on.

highlander · 23/09/2004 21:39

McKenzie I'm so sorry - I know you agonised about this

They performed a test that you didn't consent for - a serious breach of your rights as a patient.

If you made it clear that you didn't want these tests then that should be documented in your notes. The fact that it's not, or the midwife didn't read them properly and went ahead with the test is grounds for disciplinary action for that midwife.

Definitely complain to ensure it never happens again.

eidsvold · 24/09/2004 10:03

You have every right to complain and I would do so with a copy to the CEO of the hospital as well as the head of midwifery. If you have stated you did not want those tests it should have been noted in your notes and if it was not that is also worth mentioning.

Whether or not it is 'human error' it is something that you did not consent to..

mears · 24/09/2004 10:14

You absolutely must complain mckenzie. The midwife has breached your rights by taking blood without informed consent. That is a breach of her professional Code of Conduct.
At our unit, women must sign a consent form prior to these bloods being taken which confirms that they have received information about the tests and that they are making an informed choice. I believe that consent should also be obtained for the detailed scan because women often don't realise that it is a scan for anomalies, not just a chance to look at the baby, but that is another story. Apparently it is in the pipeline. I have seen women refuse blood tests but then have a detailed scan where a problem was identified and they were horrified because they didn't want to know. Very tricky situation.

Anyway, phone the hospital and ask them to send you a copy of their complaints procedure. It will be dealt with and systems will be put in place to make sure it does not happen again. The midwife will not lose her job over it but she will require to be reprimanded and professionally updated.

edam · 24/09/2004 10:15

Before having ANY medical screening or diagnostic test, health professionals should counsel patients about the process, what they are looking for, how certain they can be about the results and what the implications are. That's even more important in pregnancy, I think. They've messed up rather badly and this needs to be recorded. Do complain, they take complaints seriously and it will mean, hopefully, that they tighten up procedures so it doesn't happen to someone else.

I was shocked when, after my booking in appointment, I got results back including an AIDS test! I had no idea they were going to test for HIV. If they'd asked me I would have agreed but thought it was outrageous and improper to carry out an HIV test without consent or discussion. It can have serious implications not just in terms of health but for future employment, insurance, ability to get a mortgage and so on. No-one else, other than a pregnant woman, would be treated like this, so why do they think it's acceptable to single out women at a particularly vulnerable time?

BETTYBIMBO · 24/09/2004 10:18

I have tried to post 3 times and the my computer is not playing! so if this apprears more than once... sorry xx

I would say that a test hasn't been done without your consent..

I have two children... and during other pregnancies there was a chart which if you look at your age and someother facts which am not totally sure what they were it could say if you could be at a high risk for downs etc..

This result you have is not saying your child as or has not got.. just giving an educated guess of what could be.. do you get what I mean?

well.. that was the case when I had my two.. hope this helps

regards

Betty x

mears · 24/09/2004 10:24

Bettybimbo - the test your talking about is a screening test. It used to be done almost as a matter of routine and many women did not know the implications of it. However, it is now not acceptable to perform any test without gaining consent first and that means informing the mum what the results could mean. If they come back abnormal it means further testing needs to be done. There is a high false positive rate also.
See my thread on miscarriage after amnio too. Testing can be an absolute minefield.

misdee · 24/09/2004 10:32

when i had my 12 week appointment i was given a sheet detailing all the blood tests the culd do and to tick and sign which ones i wanted done.

Although i have decline to have screening tests regarding bloods, i am having scans at guys hopistal (fetal cardiac scan) and 20 week scan at local hospital, but the one at guys is purely a 'safety check' in my eyes as dh has a heart condition. very unlikely it will be passed on but better to know now and prepare myself.

But i am cautious of blood testing as the hospital told my mum that younger sister would have spina bifida and were pressing her to have an abortion. as it was, lil sister is perfectly ok.

BETTYBIMBO · 24/09/2004 10:37

mears.. What I was trying to say was that there is a chart which take you age and i think height etc.. and says if you could be at risk...

NO tests.... hence the orginal thread.. I think they haven't done a TEST against this ladies wishes...

mears · 24/09/2004 10:40

The chart you are describing betty is the results chart they they put the blood result on. It then says what the risk is. There is no risk chart for just height and weight. It sounds as though have had a test and not realised.....

Marina · 24/09/2004 10:46

Er yes they have Bettybimbo, it sounds like they've done a Triple/Quadruple Test on McKenzie's blood sample without her consent. And they've sent her the results without even putting them in the context of a face to face meeting.
As Mears and others have said, McKenzie is well within her rights to complain about this.
We made similar decisions for all my pregnancies McKenzie and I would have been absolutely livid if my preferences had been disregarded. Make a fuss, polite if you want, but make a fuss. So sorry to hear about this.

BETTYBIMBO · 24/09/2004 11:56

I must of misunderstood then, cause I never had blood taken...

I will look into it and let you know.

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