This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?

"Long waiting time and different things told by different professionals"

About: Fiona Stanley Hospital / Dietetics and nutrition

(as the patient),

I had my antenatal appointment at 1.30pm at the clinic. I arrived on time, sat and waited for over an hour. I asked the receptionist (where I never see them smile or friendliness for some reason), they told me to ask one of the midwives, so I stood and waited to ask one of the midwives. 

So the midwife I asked said my pregnancy book has been taken by a midwife and I should be called in a few seconds. Nothing I can do. I waited with full bladder cause I was too scared to miss out. Another half an hour later I was finally called. That was around 3pm. Having mild depression I was very anxious, worried about getting fined for the parking tickets I bought for 1.5 hours only, worry about my child waiting for long in daycare for me to pick them up etc. 

After a few minutes of seeing the midwife, I was asked to wait to see the diabetes educator. So another hour of waiting. I was the second last pregnant mum in the area when I got called. What puzzled me is, many other mums who came after me (which I know there are 2.30pm appointments as well) had already left. I left at 4.30pm. 

I put a lot of emphasis on punctuality. I understand they are busy but I do not expect myself to be feeling happy seeing myself arrived early and treated much later than anyone else. I do not see how the system works, there is no point in booking my appointment earlier. 

--second story--

As I was on insulin, my last 2 visits (4 weeks) I consulted one of the doctors in the diabetes clinic. I asked if it is ok to increase my fast acting insulin when I dine out so I have more food options for myself. They said that's what insulin patients are doing so that is totally fine to do. 

After 4 weeks of doing so (occasionally when I dined out I put up my insulin), the consultation with the diabetes educator recently was shocked I did that. I couldn't remember the doctor's name (after seeing different professionals each time it is hard) but I clearly got their 'approval' to do so. The diabetes educator was telling me the worst scenario of doing so is that my baby may not be adjusting well with it when they are born, potentially may lead to brain damage etc. My heart just torn apart. They are telling me different things, I feel devastated and do not know who should I listen to. Then I left, crying all the way home.  

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Janet Zagari, Executive Director Transformation, South Metropolitan Health Service, South Metropolitan Health Service 5 years ago
Janet Zagari
Executive Director Transformation, South Metropolitan Health Service,
South Metropolitan Health Service
Submitted on 14/09/2018 at 5:00 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 5:02 PM


picture of Janet Zagari

Dear aprilrh75

Thank you for sharing your story about your recent appointments in the Fiona Stanley Hospital antenatal clinic. I was sorry to hear that you were distressed by your experience and would like our clinical team to be able to review your care so that we can respond to you fully. We can only do this if you provide your details and I encourage you to contact the Fiona Stanley Hospital Patient Family Liaison Service on 6152 4013 or via email: FSHFeedback@health.wa.gov.au so that we can look into what happened.

The specialist diabetes team don’t usually recommend flexible eating and insulin dosing for people with gestational diabetes mellitus, however Diabetes Nurse Educators work closely with the specialist Endocrinologists and know that this happens occasionally on an individual basis.

Brain damage is not an identified risk of diabetes in pregnancy and I am sorry if this was the information that was provided to you. I have shared your concerns with the Diabetes Nurse Educators so that they know how you felt. There are other potentially serious effects such as very high blood pressure that can occur when blood sugar levels are not well controlled. Please talk to your doctor about any concerns your next appointment, or I can arrange for somebody to contact you if you ring the Patient and Family Liaison service to provide your details and let them know that you would like to speak to someone.

Kind regards

Janet Zagari

Executive Director, Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k