I’ve just been denied medical management of a failed abortion

[Tinyteatime]

I had a medical termination last Saturday, 7 weeks pregnant after my coil failed. Thought it had passed relatively easily so came away on a short holiday with my family luckily only 1.5 hours away from home. Started heavy bleeding and bad cramps yesterday, came to a&e as as advised by the BPAS clinic as I was flooding a pad and blood leaking through my trousers. Passed some very large clots. Internal scan reveals what they think is a foetal heart beat still in there. I’ve been in hospital one night and they said they would do the surgery on me this morning. I’ve just been told that all the doctors available won’t perform the procedure due to religion. This in the U.K. in 2019, in a hospital that offers abortion services. They’ve said I can stay another night and have it tomorrow, I have a breastfed baby that I’ve already been away from for one night, I’m in pain, bleeding and I’ve already had sepsis last year from a womb infection whilst giving birth so I’ve raised infection risk as a concern. I feel so angry about this. Would they deny women treatment for miscarriage? Or is it because there may still be a foetal heartbeat present? Is it simply because I’ve chosen to end the pregnancy myself? How in an nhs hospital can women be denied healthcare like this?

I can quite understand that holding anti abortion views shouldn't bar you from a career in healthcare but I find myself very suspicious of anyone with such views who goes on to specialise in Obs/Gynae. It strongly suggests an agenda

Very well put

I would call the hospital/Trusts CEO and let them know that you are considering legal action against them. I would also start calling some medical negligence solicitors (Irwen Mitchell/Slater Gordon etc).

Disgusting if you have religious beliefs dont go into this line of work-noone should be denied medical treatment

I dont know if i wold leave but understand why you want to as long as they accept you back tomorrow

Oh thread moved on while posting, Barrackers links to lawyers look useful.

Really hope you get treated soon OP. I can't believe this is happening to you in the UK. Pretty sure it's illegal. Can doctors just refuse to treat anyone whose past decisions they don't agree with that have caused a medical issue? So salvation army docs can choose not to treat alcohol related illnesses?

This is truly awful. And I as a medical student apologise, and (hopefully) future doctor. I would never judge another patient's decision and I most definitely would never let my patient down by risking their health and welfare due to my personal beliefs. How dare the leave you at risk of infection/complications! How dare they shame you!

If you don't want to carry out medical procedures that are legal in this country you shouldn't be a doctor. You need to complian. Get a family member to do so while you try to rest as best you can.

Totally shocking. I just found this link to teh GMC and detials the can's and can'ts of doctors..
www.gmc-uk.org/ethical-guidance/ethical-guidance-for-doctors/personal-beliefs-and-medical-practice/personal-beliefs-and-medical-practice

I think they are missing the element of the distress it is causing you. They can argue that they have provided alternative appropriate care for tomorrow but the ward manager doesn't seem clear on their duty when you challenged on 'my right to healthcare' and none of the Dr's seem to take into account your situation and your distress.

I would highlight this out to them before you leave today, see if you can insist on being seen today.

And its not a fucking elective termination? Its fixing a cock up?!

Definite formal complaint here OP when you have the strength.

Tinyteatime

I'm sending you a DM with a BPAS contact who I think may help you by speaking to the hospital consultant on your behalf.

OP i'm really sorry this is happening to you and I hope that this is all sorted ASAP

I am not defending what has happened in any way shape of form, you have been treated disgracefully and without respect.

I wanted to say that to my understanding the law can get a bit difficult around failed abortions. The law is not IMO fit for purpose. Abortion is still a crime in the UK. The abortion act 1967 offers protection to doctors AGAIST the crime if they follow certain procedures (such as two having to agree and sign different bits of paper etc). Its a while since I read it but i am not sure what the provision is for failed abortions. It is possible that the whole rigmarole needs to be started again. I think the legal basis for a surgical removal as there is still a heartbeat and not imidate risk to your life is going to be a bit tricky without classing it as a new abortion needing the whole load of paperwork and consents again. THIS DOSENT MEAN YOU SHOULDN'T BE HELPED AND THEY SHOULD BE EXPLAINING THIS. The law needs bringing into the modern world

Medical professionals can object to provide elective abortions but need to direct you to someone who will, telling you to go home and find someone else is not appropriate.

I hope you get it sorted soon.

Hi OP. Have you contacted BPAS about this? www.bpas.org/abortion-care/abortion-aftercare/

Sending you huge hugs, this makes me feel so sick and angry on your behalf.

The nurses can object to performing an abortion or assisting, however they cannot deny you care. If a nurse has told you this or refused to care for you, they are not in compliance with NMC guidance and are denying you a basic human right.

www.nmc.org.uk/standards/code/conscientious-objection-by-nurses-and-midwives/

I’ve also been told that nurses have the right to not care for me if they object, how do we have a system in place in our nhs that is happy to admit a woman to a ward but not give her any care, for a procedure that is legal in the U.K.

A legal procedure in an NHS hospital and you might end up without treatment. In 2019.

Fucking hell.

I personally would not get discharged now. I know to many people who have left hospital after, only to drop out the system! you may not be allowed your procedure tomorrow if you leave now.

Its fixing a series of cock ups, first the coil disappearing (could still be inside somewhere I’m told), then the failed abortion. I feel like none of this is my fault, but it wouldn’t matter if it were. There shouldn’t be personal judgements cast before you treat someone. That’s a good point ineedacupoftea, if I’d come in with injury from being drunk I doubt they’d object to treating me even if it was against their beliefs. It’s because I’m female, simple as that.

Also, you are not there for TOP.

You are there for management of a previous procedure.

Hi OP, just sending you my support again. So glad Barracker has been able to send you someone concrete.

I cannot believe a hospital can schedule 3 gynaecologists who are all conscientious objectors at the one time. Who is in charge there? I really believe this needs to be publicised as I think women in the UK think they will never face this situation.

Abortion law needs to be reformed so that it is available as of RIGHT, not as an exemption for liability for doctors. This makes me so sick- this and the fact that in NI women can’t even access abortion provision. Not to mention all the shit going on in America, blaming women for getting into arguments while pregnant. Beyond furious at the moment.

Also as a fact correction. The hippocratic oath really is of no help here since it involves promising NOT to carry out abortions (its um rather outdated)

I thought I had become unshockable, but this has moved me more than I can say.
I sincerely hope you receive treatment soon, and wish you a speedy recovery

Please please consider legal action Tiny. They should be hung out to dry for this.

Lots of information on conscientious objection and their legal obligations on relation to it here:

www.gmc-uk.org/ethical-guidance/ethical-guidance-for-doctors/personal-beliefs-and-medical-practice/personal-beliefs-and-medical-practice

Scroll down to conscientious objection. Are they fulfilling all of their responsibilities in relation to it?

www.gmc-uk.org/ethical-guidance/ethical-guidance-for-doctors/personal-beliefs-and-medical-practice/personal-beliefs-and-medical-practice

Check your PMs Tinyteatime

BPAS are standing by.
If you get in touch they will help.

Good luck. (You shouldn't need luck. You need medical care that isn't delayed for religious beliefs)

So sorry you're going through this, Tiny

Horrible situation, but probably not unusual. I've worked in most of the London Hospitals, in Women & Children's services, and in every case there are doctors who will terminate pregnancies, and doctors who won't (plenty). In a big enough hospital this works out fine, but in a smaller one I can see it would cause delays of this type.

Since this whole saga I’ve been thinking a lot about women in NI. It’s just awful to go through this, I can’t imagine having to travel far from home to even access care, if a woman from NI was in my situation they would then have to travel back to the U.K. for surgical management presumably or wait it out until they become infected and it’s classes as life threatening?

@Tawdrylocalbrouhaha I had no idea pro-life views were so common amongst doctors. If only pro-choicers were able to practice medicine would there be enough to go around?