Is it worth complaining?

[Ednos]

Hello lovely people
I was wondering if I can get your opinions.
I am in two minds wether to write a complaint against the hospital or just keep my mouth shut
My only reason for the complain is so that it doesn't happen to anybody else and not to gain anything else really.
Now, I have to say that I am aware our NHS hospitals are doing an amazing job with what's going on at the moment, therefore I don't want to sound ungrateful for what we have but, here is what has happened so far:
I found out I am pregnant and contacted my GP. I was given a number to self refer to community midwifes. I rang them, got an appointment. I was sent a letter saying come on 21/03. On 21/02 I got a phonecall saying your appointment was today and you have now missed it. It was rearranged. I went to the second one- it was booked wrong again for the day before. I was told we tried to ring you, but someone else picked up and the number was wrong. I explained this cant be true as I was contacted on 21/02.
Anyway had my first booking appointment in the hospital on a sunday. No body knew why I had it booked for the Sunday.
Then few weeks gone by, I had my dating scan in hospital. All good, had some blood tests done for Down's etc and was told we will send a letter. Still till today, no letter. So i tried ringing the hospital. After 2 hours trying to get to the right department (i was given all sorts of numbers, including the hospital's kitchen!) I was told a letter was sent out 2 weeks ago, but not to worry as all results were low risk. I was very confused and asked if I can be sent out a copy of the letter and I was told no, because the letter just days this low risk. Now i think these tests are very important and decisions need to be made depending the results. I asked what is low risk i.e 1 in 100/1000,10 000? I was told this is not on the letter (?!)
I am first time pregnant (16weeks atm) and as most of us on here, very worried and anxious. I have not met "my" midwife yet so I cannot even speak to her. I feel absolutely horrible as I have been left to deal with everything on my own.

Am I just being hormonal? How has your experience especially in the begining been?

Many thanks to whoever's read this all xX

I wouldn’t say this is exclusive to the epidemic. We’ve had a similar shambolic experience from different departments. I would complain. You could start with your community midwife I believe.

Is there any chance there might be another patient with the same name? I had a friend who had issues with her gp surgery sometimes over that situation.

I'd personally put in a complaint as they sound shambolic and they can't penalise you for getting appointments wrong when they have given you the wrong dates? I would have thought they could send you the results in writing again as atm you have their word but is it even right?!

Sounds similar to my first pregnancy. I am pregnant again and have changed midwives because issues continually happened with the first one and I am a very laid back person but the care wasnt great.

Don't expect much would be my advice and even more so now with added pressures.

You will be fine trusting your own instinct in pregnancy anyway. You got this!

Try the PALS team - their info should be on the trust website.

I had similar experiences with a hospital (not maternity) gynae stuff but was passed from pillar to post and no one really knew what was going on!

I called the PALS team and they were really lovely and got all the info I needed that no one seemed to be able to tell me, anyone once they got involved the communications seemed to improve a lot! Still a bit rubbish and that’s the reality they are probably so overstretched at the moment but as I’m sure PALs will agree it shouldn’t effect the care you receive!

I’ve had similar experiences. I am actually very concerned for women in my area who may need more support as the whole thing is ridiculous. When I tried broaching the topic nicely (pre-epidemic) I was told I was expecting too much.

Oh and in my trust we don’t get a specific midwife. There is a team of 5 for my area and you just see whoever they tell you too.

I'd speak to Pals - like a PP suggested it sounds like there could be a mix up with two patients.