North Staffs Hospital?

[the why bird]

Bit of a long shot but is anyone at here under care of UHNS?

I've been calling their antenatal appointments number every weekday for a month to rearrange my consultant appointment and nobody ever answers! I was so happy today when someone picked up the phone - to tell me everyone was at lunch and please call back.

Getting so frustrated now. I'm trying to be polite by letting them know in advance instead of not showing up but how can I tell them if no one answers? Tried the main antenatal reception, they won't/can't change my appointment and just gave me the other number.

 

[Rickles]

Can your midwife give you an alternative number??? xx

 

[SisterRose]

Hey, i'm at north staffs too. Whenever I've rang to check an appointment or to rearrange it's taken AGES to ring through but when someone has picked up it's always been easy to sort out whatever I wanted to sort out.

Have you tried just ringing the MAU and hoping they can put you through to someone else? Or asking your midwife?

x

 

[SisterRose]

And also, sorry to be nosey - but where abouts in the area are you from? x

 

[the why bird]

Hi thank you for replying. I have left a message with my midwife about it but she only works three days a week so waiting for a reply. I think I'm going to have to put the phone on speakerphone and let it ring and ring and ring until someone answers.

I tried seventeen times yesterday according to my phone! Can't help but think other people must be struggling too since this has been going on for so long.

I'm in Newcastle up towards Talke end, how about you?

 

[the why bird]

Well I finally got a reply, only to be told that the only other appointment they could offer me would be when I'm 37 weeks! I don't really have a choice since there's no way I could make the original appointment, but nine weeks later seems a bit sloppy.

This is supposed to be my appointment to discuss birth options (prev c section) though it seems to me it's going to be too late for any real options, since if I were to elect for a c section they want to book it at 28 weeks.

Left another message with my midwife, hopefully she has some ideas.

 

[RosieRosieP]

Hi, if you are having difficulty getting through I would suggest contacting the PALS Department at the hospital.

It is completely unacceptable that you have tried 17 times in one day and not been able to speak to anyone x

 

[SisterRose]

Glad you got through, but I agree with rosie, it's unacceptable that you've been trying to rearrange this appointment for such a long time. You've tried to give ample notice in my opinion and I'd consider it neglect on their part. They shouldn't be offering you an appointment to discuss your birthing options at 37 weeks, it's much too late for that if you need to book in for a csection!

In my experience with North Staffs, I've had to have spur of the moment appointments with a consultant booked every two weeks(sometimes every week) from 28 weeks with my last two pregnancies to check on baby since I was having growth problems and they've always managed to squeeze me in even if they were fully booked. I hope that your midwife is able to get you in at a more reasonable date, if not I would try to ring back and complain.

x