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Pregnancy

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

Missed miscarriage and awful GP

8 replies

mumoffluffs · 25/02/2020 18:02

Super long, sorry!

After a private scan on Saturday baby was measuring at 6 weeks with no heartbeat when I 100% should be at 10 weeks. Definitely know I have had a missed miscarriage - dates are definitely not wrong.

When I first saw my doctor when I was 6 weeks she loses my notes and calls me after the weekend to ask all the questions again. She also said I should be seen by the hospital around 14 weeks which is ridiculous (I had my booking appointment this Friday at 10 weeks which will now probably be cancelled) and first scan at 12 weeks. After twice being asked where I want to be referred (I requested Chelsea and Westminster Hospital) I receive a letter saying I am now referred to Queen Charlottes Hospital. I immediately said to the GP receptionist I have been given the wrong hospital and the GP even confirmed it will be CW not QC. I was told maybe CW was going to take longer to book me in so they decided to refer me to QC... I should be informed and asked before someone picks and chooses this surely? All this was a few weeks ago.

After a private early pregnancy scan during the weekend I was told the baby had stopped growing at 6 weeks and had no heartbeat (I should have been 10 weeks at this point). I know this is 100% accurate as my dates are spot on and there is 0 chance of there being any hope! After luckily getting an urgent appointment on Monday I was told by a new GP at the surgery that I should hear from CW (as all my information and appointments are there) and if I don't hear by the afternoon the next day to call the hospital. I called the early pregnancy unit at CW next day and was told they hadn't received a referral and to call the GP asap to get it sent over.

I called the GP surgery and was told it hasn’t been done yet and I won’t be referred to CW as they don’t have an early pregnancy unit! (I literally called the unit 10 minutes ago and it does exist) I will be referred to Ealing!!!! I told them it is ridiculous to not only have to chase up the referral which I know takes 5 minutes to do, but that I’m told my hospital does not have the department and that I will be sent elsewhere without even being informed! All of this nonsense when I'm trying to emotionally deal with what is happening right now. I have been told by a midwife that this is abysmal of the surgery as I need to be seen very quickly for this and I should complain to the Quality Care Commission - which I have done today.

I asked for the practice manager to call me to complain about constantly being referred wrongly and the delay with the early pregnancy unit referral. When I had a call from the manager (who was also the GP), she proceeded to try to speak over me many times and excuse what happened as they normally only refer to QC (why was I referred to Ealing then??? which was met with a change of subject). She even confirmed that on my first and second referrals the correct hospital was put on my notes but they are so used to going to QC. I was also told that she didn't even know CW had an early pregnancy unit and that there was a delay in sending the referral as usually general hospital referrals are sent up to 6 weeks later but the person doing it may not have realised it should be done straight away!!!!!!

I have complained to the Quality Care Commission and tried to leave a sensible factual review on the NHS website for the GP surgery, but had a reply from the NHS saying they cannot post it as serious complaints must be resolved by the GP surgery - so god knows how many reviews don't get posted.

I'm feeling very sad, angry, and appalled I'm having to deal with all this only 3 days after finding out I have most likely (I am sure) miscarried. I am petrified of what happens next and feel like I will feel even worse when I do fully miscarry. I don't need this right now :(

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mumoffluffs · 25/02/2020 18:06

Safe to say I'm already looking for a new GP...

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Salamander91 · 25/02/2020 18:17

I'm sorry your gp is messing you around so much. I had a mmc in january and my gp called epu as soon as I spoke to them and called me back immediately with an appointment for a few days time.

I'm sorry for everything you are going through. I know how painful and scary it is xxx

WhiteBadger · 25/02/2020 18:44

I'm sorry I have nothing productive to say, but just couldn't pass your post and say nothing.

I'm so sorry. Thanks

TinnedPearsForPudding · 25/02/2020 20:34

Go to A&E at Chelsea & Westminster, they can refer you directly up to EPU. Done through triage so not "wasting A&E time" (just make sure you go when the EPU is open - early / mid morning best)

PandaPink · 25/02/2020 21:16

I'm sorry for what you are going through!
Where I am from you can take yourself to EPU or call them is this not an option? GPs take nothing to do with pregnancy that's what midwives are for. I don't see the point in the middle man.

thosethreewords · 25/02/2020 21:26

As a GP, I'm appalled by some of the care you have received. No wonder you are looking for a new surgery and I'm glad you have complained as they are obligated to investigate it. If you haven't already (and you feel up to it), I'd put it in writing to the practice too.
I'm so sorry about your MMC

mumoffluffs · 25/02/2020 21:27

Thanks for all your replies!

Unfortunately my EPU only takes people via GP referral or triage, and we used the GP as a first port of call (never again!) but should have just gone into triage instead. We were advised by someone who is a midwife (who we spoke to during the weekend) to contact the GP first thing Monday if I didn't start bleeding by then to save having to wait in A&E.

I received a call finally from CW at 6pm and was told the GP didn't attach the scan as they said they would and asked if we had a copy (luckily we took photos of it!) the midwife/specialist on the phone at CW was lovely and understanding, have an appointment booked for another scan on Tuesday just to rule out the possibility of the baby still growing (even though I know it isn't). I called the GP back to ask if they can send the scan to CW and again complained that the GP told me she was keeping the scan so it could be sent to them.

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mumoffluffs · 25/02/2020 21:31

@thosethreewords thank you, I think we will definitely put it in writing to the practice as it is beyond ridiculous especially how I was "fobbed off" with silly excuses.

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