"Lack of care and communication"

Bad experience in ED for a premature membrane rupture scare which I felt was handled badly by the team, I understand that in the end they couldn’t rule it out but I feel they should of tested for amniotic fluid first. I recall being kicked out of the bed in ED, told to wait back in the ED waiting room, ED was really busy so I had to sit on a broken chair with a large piece of metal sticking into my back all the while I’m still leaking fluid. I even asked to take swabs home so I could test myself for leaking amniotic fluid, however I wasn’t given swabs. I was also sent home without blood tests being taken even though I was advised I needed them to rule out possible infections. 

I am also a patient of the Preterm Birth Clinic and have been even before my premature membrane rupture scare as I’ve had a premmie before. Although, I’ve had no correspondence from the hospital to advise of appointments, just phone calls from midwives after missing appointments. I’ve tried to call the hospital on many occasions to find out when my next appointment is, however I give up after an hour wait on hold.

Another occasion, I pulled my child out of school to attend the anatomy scan and I remember being told on arrival that my child isn’t allowed in and that it was in the letter that was sent. I advised I hadn’t received a letter, or any letters and was told that one would have been sent and I should have read it, (I felt as if the staff member didn’t believe me). I was instructed to put my child in the crèche, in the end I left before getting the scan as I wanted to sort my care and scan elsewhere. 

Don’t get me wrong, the doctors and midwives seem nice, however I believe the level of communication and care is at a bare minimum. I have since found care elsewhere and also recently found out that apparently I should have been given a pregnancy book to track all my appointments, this was never spoken about or given to me previously at KEMH.

I feel the hospital is understaffed and/ or doesn’t have the capacity to cope with the number of patients. Obviously, I really hope I have a safe and long pregnancy for the health of my baby, but I’m also praying I don’t go into premature labour as I would be sent back to KEMH and I’m concerned about the care I would receive being admitted into the hospital. Based on my experience, the parking is also a nightmare, waiting times are very long and none of it seems worth it for the care provided.