So angry !

[Fergie]

This is a long story but i'll cut it short for you all.

I lost my daughter at 26 weeks after induction because of an hospital based infection which caused acute (now chronic) pancreatitis. My ex husband and i were on the IVF list and i'd had a laparoscopy to "clean out" any debris. They didn't do a pregnancy test and it turns out i was already preggers when they did the laparoscopy.

Now after my daughter died i was promised that in any future pregnancy, because of my serious health issues, i'd be seen by my OB/Gynae consultant as soon as i found out i was pregnant and scanned every 4 weeks up to the 26 week mark. After waiting since December for an appt, i phoned my local womens clinic today to ask why i hadn't had my appt. I got the stroppiest madam ever on the phone, who cut me off mid sentence at every opportunity to tell me i was over reacting and obviously because i wasn't bleeding then i was fine .. then she proceded to tell me i wasn't high risk so i would have to wait to between 14 & 16 weeks til i seen the consultant !. To say i was angry was an understatement. To be honest the only reason i didn't sue the arse off them was because as an ex NHS staff member i knew that my consultant would get the rap for it and i never ever thought any of it was his fault. What happened to me was down to trust funding cuts on the cleaning staff .. too many managers and not enough basic staff (ok rant over !!).
I have since spent the last wee while trying to find a phone number for my consultant, but hit the jackpot and got his e-mail instead. So i sent a rather terse e-mail off, reminding him of the fact that he made assurances that i would be seen etc, the scanning etc and the aggressive attitude of the stroppy receptionist .. and hey presto within half an hour i got a personal reply. Surprise surprise he'll personally see to it that i am seen this week ! . It just goes to show that you don't get anywhere unless you stand up and be counted.

Ahhh i feel slightly calmer now .. apologies for the vent

Fergie Xx

 

[msflowerfairy]

Yaaay you go girl!
Bloody receptionists, they think they are almost doctors sometimes!
Well done for standing up for yourself i applaud you Mwah!

 

[Pippin]

You vent away hon and so glad you got proactive about it and found the email. When I hadn't heard from my hospital I went there in person and spoke to them, 4 hours ater I had an appointment. Pays to get stroppy. x

 

[Fergie]

The thing is i'm usually quite easy going about stuff ... but that blooming receptionist AHHHHHHHH !!!!!. I'm medically blooming qualified .. she answers phones who knows best me or her ??? lol.

Im so glad i did e-mail him now though .. felt a bit guilty after sending, but the anger kicked in lol.

Thanks ladies

Fergie Xx

 

[hb1]

What a stupid cow that receptionist - jumped up b!@tch!!

I would bring her up again with the consultant - at the end of the day she should be able to deal appropriately with ladies who will be in vulnerable, highly emotional positions!!

Well done for sticking up for yourself!

hx

 

[wish2bmama]

Oh my gosh. You have been through soooo much. Massive to you hun.

But yay! Go you! Getting things done! I'm so glad he will make sure you get seen next week! I so hope this pregnancy goes perfectly for you xxxxxxx

 

[wish2bmama]

oh btw.. that woman is dip-sh!t and she will get hers someday! Idiotic, heartless meanie.

 

[sequeena]

Good for you!!! X

 

[Perdita]

Why do receptionists feel it's their place to triage patients over the phone??? They shouldn't have access to your medical records other than filing them so how would they know where you are on the risk scale??? And going a huge bit off topic I think the receptionists on 'one born every minute' is a great example of who you don't want to have to meet - find her irritating every time she appears on screen!
xx

 

[Fallen Angel]

Oh Fergie, so glad you got your consultant and good on you for sticking by your guns. It truly disgusts me the way some admin staff treat people?!?! It totally beggars belief.

When Things started going wrong before I m/c in July I was asked to call the early pregnancy unit for emergency scan... To be told by a jumped up tart on the phone she can't magic appointments from nowhere!!!! I went through her like a ton of bricks, got my fs on phone and an apt next day!!!

The NHS does many wonderful things, but it's shoddy admin, a lack of compassion and bad mgmnt that brings them down!!

Anyway, wish you a happy healthy 9 months Fergie - you deserve it after everything else hon x

 

[Fergie]

Thank you ladies.

I finally had my 6/8wk booking appt with my midwife on Tuesday (i'm 12w !!). And i've got my scan and OB consultants appt on Friday . Soooo excited, but nervous too.

I don't know what it is with me and receptionist at the moment .. I phoned today to have them confirm my thyroxine upping and was told " i was being picky " !!. I have to take the liquid form because of my chronic pancreatitis (orders of my gastroenterologist, but it costs more than the tablet form). I lost it and told her that she was paid to answer phones and dictate letters .. until such time that she qualifies as a chemist or medical doctor then her opinions are best kept to herself. Ahhh felt good . I reckon from now on though it'll be a fight to get an appt ..lol.

Fergie Xx

 

[Jody R]

Good for you on both counts.

I got sick of explaining my history and losses to people who have no need or right to know.

They were there to book appointments, not question why the consultant had promised them. He signed enough forms saying when the next one should be but some random people writing in diaries felt they knew better than him.

It made me furious.

I know they feel that everyone believes they are the only pregnant woman ever and deserves special treatment but some of us aren't being picky or demanding anything but the care we need and were promised.

I hope telling her off made you feel so much better

 

[xSamanthax]

Wow you go girl!!! So glad you sent that email, what a cow that receptionist sounds!

 

[Fallen Angel]

Do you know what Fergie, that just totally disgusts me, but good on you.

May I suggest that you escalate this now, as that dumb bitch quite simply should not be in that job!! There is a PALS service run by the NHS (which I'm sure you're aware of as I think in one of your previous posts you mentioned being NHS staff). Well, I think you should certainly escalate this.

The thing that really bothers me is not everyone is strong enough, emotionally or physically to stick up for themselves like you and me and someone who is not, could quite easily get fobbed off and lost in the system.

It totally disgusts me.

But once again well done you and WOW!!! 12 weeks!!! How exciting!!!

I have my first scan next Friday (4th Feb) and don't have a clue how far I am as I have very irregular cycles (PCOS), I'm guestimating around 7-8 weeks, but would be fab if I was further.

Good luck at your first OB apt too x

 

[Fergie]

I wrote a very strong but nicely worded e-mail to our local NHS Trust complaints dept today. They deal with both hospital and GP surgery complaints. I haven't had a reply yet, but i'll be very vocal tomorrow morning to the head of reception and my OB dr who is head of the dept. I'm so looking forward to it !!. At least it's keeping my mind off the scan for the moment. Still feeling nervous, but always thinking positive .

Fergie Xx

 

[Jody R]

I hope the scan went well.

 

[Fergie]

Thank you .. and yes it did .
She was extremely active, so active the sonographer had problems getting a clear picture for us . Heartbeat was fine and everything looked very normal so im relieved as is Daddy who spent the entire scan gripping my hand and shaking !!.
I'm really pleased all is so far going textbook .. i just hope it stays that way.

XX

 

[Jody R]

That's great news! Fingers crossed you have a peaceful and stress-free time for the rest of the pregnancy