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"Continuity of care in my first pregnancy"

About: Broome Health Campus / Maternity/Midwifery

(as the patient),

I believe I have been removed from the MGP program at Broome hospital solely due to the fact that I declined the 20 week morphology ultrasound scan. I recall I was told that I cannot continue in the program unless I have the scan due to legal reasons and that I should probably go to Perth to have my baby if I don't have the scan. Legal reasons? What about my right to access continuity of care? Fly to Perth to give birth when I am far from being considered high risk? What about my right to choose what prenatal testing I have? 

I was also booked in for three appointments without my consent or without my knowing of what the appointments were even for.

I am appalled at the way I feel the obstetrics team have treated me during my pregnancy; I feel like they see my body and pregnancy as a set of guidelines and policies/procedures that they have the right to seemingly coerce to fit their standards of behaviour. I believe I should not be made to feel like a child in trouble when dealing with a care provider, I am a grown woman growing a human being and I deserve respect- not what I believe to be threats preceding an apparent abandonment of care.

I feel this was absolutely atrocious treatment of a first time mama.

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Responses

Response from David Woodward, Acting Senior Medical Officer, Broome Hospital, WA Country Health Service 10 months ago
David Woodward
Acting Senior Medical Officer, Broome Hospital,
WA Country Health Service

Doctor at Broome Hospital

Submitted on 30/06/2023 at 5:52 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 3/07/2023 at 1:05 PM


Dear novemberdg88

We are sorry that you feel there has been poor continuity of care and that you felt abandoned.

This would never have been our intention, we are here to listen and will always respect your decision for care.

We would be happy to explore your complaint further.

It is such an exciting time in your life and we hope to support you.

Perhaps those booked visits were the team reaching out to you?

Dr. David Woodward (0419196947) is the Broome Health Campus Senior Medical Officer, or alternatively, Millie Stewart is the Director of Nursing and Midwifery (0408913638).

Both would be happy to take your call and either can arrange for senior input into your concerns, including the WACHS director of obstetrics who is in Broome next week should you desire.

Although some birth preferences are better supported in Perth where there is improved access to tertiary care and urgent theatre, our Broome maternity midwives and doctors collaborate with patients to build a safe birth experience for mums and their babies.

We hope you will engage in care, but will certainly respect your decision at this time to not be seen.

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