15 weeks pregnant and still haven't been seen due to staffing issues

[hobsnobs]

12 week scan was cancelled twice due to staffing issues, at 13+6 I contacted PALS on advice from Mumsnet who are looking into the situation not just for me there are many women in the health board affected, from what my midwife says I'm not the only one who has complained.

It just seems impossible to get any progress to be honest. Everyone I talk to is sympathetic and admitting the situation is wrong but the health board are struggling to resolve it, from what I'm hearing unofficially covid has spread around the x-ray department and the first locum they arranged tested positive too. I don't know why there isn't a locum since or whether they've not tried. I've tried to fight my corner with the hospital to be given an NIPT test free of charge as I am no longer eligible for combined screening That requested was rejected and all women effected are being offered the quad test only. A local mums group has shown quite a few of us in similar situations, some of them received letters on Friday giving them dates for this week, one of them for today who has since posted that it's been cancelled. I haven't even received a letter.

I tried to ring my midwife this morning she didn't answer and immediately text and said she'll be in touch by the end of the week. Do I keep phoning PALS or do I wait for them to contact me as they said they would? I feel like I'm getting nowhere

Gosh OP I think I remember your previous thread and I can't believe you still haven't been seen! Appalling! The health board really should have resolved this somehow, even if it meant referring some women to hospitals in other boards.

I'm afraid I don't have much advice, just wanted to sympathise with how frustrating this must be for you. I'm sure it can't do any harm to keep on at PALS though.

I would personally keep on at PALS if I were you.

On the note of the NIPT test, I was pregnant at the height of the pandemic and due to Covid and being short staffed they would not take nuchal measurements so I was only offered the combined blood test.

I think you’re being a bit unreasonable to expect to get a very expensive test for free on the NHS when a combined screening test is sufficient (it was in our trust at the height of the pandemic).

I totally sympathise about the lack of the scan though, that’s unfair so definitely keep on at PALS. Is there not another trust that’s not too far from you where you could ask for your maternity care to be transferred to? I am within about 20-30 miles of another healthcare trust so that’s why I ask.

I'm sorry to hear this @hobnobs , I can understand your frustration and worry.

I'm sorry I don't have any advice to offer as I'm outside the UK and I'm not sure what would be most effective, but while their struggles are understandable this is a shocking failure of duty of care.

When you say 'keep phoning PALS', how many times have you contacted them so far? If the last time was ten days ago I would be tempted to try again. The midwife team, on the other hand, are clearly overwhelmed and I don't think you'd get anywhere by calling again before the end of the week.

It's not combined screening. I'm too far along and no longer eligible. I'm being offered the quad test that only checks for Down's syndrome. The NIPT tests for the same things as the combined screening, I appreciate it's more expensive but it's not my fault I'm now too far along due to all the cancellations. They've said no anyway but I do think it's unfair

Apologies I meant to say I had the quad test (as they were unable to offer combined due to Covid)

I will try PALS again, feels like I'm getting nowhere. Just so disheartened by it all

You really need to very firm with PALS (from experience) I had some issues during the pandemic with my pregnancy care and I really has to keep on at them - it never did get resolved (the particular issue I had) they just kept blaming Covid.

It’s appalling you’ve had no scan tjough, they really should be doing something to offer it, even if it’s outsourced to another hospital and late/weekend appts are offered.

Has anyone been to the press about this? Local at least? There should be a bigger fuss about this, it's absolutely awful

Omg I remember your post and I'm appalled that you still haven't been seen. I know staff shortages can't be helped but I'd want evidence that they're trying to rectify this by trying to get staff in from elsewhere. Keep on at PALS and I would try and escalate this further, your MP even?

I couldn’t have the combined test because on the day of my scan the position of the baby meant they couldn’t take the NT measurement - they don’t offer an NIPT in those circumstances so I don’t know that that is a realistic request. But it is shocking that you haven’t had your 12 week scan. I would definitely pursue the complaint. Maybe even contact the local press because this sounds like a very bad state of affairs.

A few days shy of 18 weeks I have finally had my 12 week scan.. baby visually seems ok. NIPT test request was refused and have had a quad test so waiting for the results of that..

@hobsnobs that's ridiculous

Jesus, @hobnobs, I posted on your earlier thread, I can't believe you're still having to put up with this. I'm glad your scan seemed ok but I'd be going to press and MP at this point. There will absolutely be women in your boat who have issues missed because of this and that's absolutely appalling.

That is appalling. Could you have been sent out of area?

My head would have exploded with rage.

I'm so glad you've been seen and all is ok but at nearly 18 weeks it just isn't good enough. You should be approaching your 20 week scan by now, not only just receiving your 12 week one. Absolutely appalling.

OP just a thought, is it not too late to request a transfer to a different hospital? I don’t think I could handle another 20 weeks knowing how unreliable they are!