What to do if C-Section refused?

[zulab]

A friend of mine (in another part of the UK) has requested a C-Section as a result of suffering badly with PTSD as a result of a previous labour. Under the NICE guidelines she is entitled to opt for a C-Section but her consultant is refusing with no medical reasoning or basis for doing so.

She has made a complaint via the hospital, but it's taking so long and she is starting to suffer with extreme anxiety (including anxiety attacks), is there anyone thing else she can do or anyone else she can complain to to get this sped up? She has requested a referral via the complaints proceedure to see a different consultant who will perform the C-Section, but she is currently being stone walled.

Any tips or information greatly received.

 

[bethanchloe]

Does she live in an area where she could move to another hospital/PCT? I know it depends on the area you live in whether there's somewhere else close enough for you to go...

That could be a good option if so x

 

[zulab]

Sadly not, the next nearest hospitals are about 50 minutes away in opposite directions. With a young child and having to stay in for a few days with a section it would put a huge amount of strain on her partner to have her that far away.

I wondered if there was a NICE reporting facility, where you can contact them and make a complaint about a specific hospital not following guidelines, but so far I've not been able to find who actually enforces the guidelines. She's very distressed.

 

[bethanchloe]

Sadly not, the next nearest hospitals are about 50 minutes away in opposite directions. With a young child and having to stay in for a few days with a section it would put a huge amount of strain on her partner to have her that far away.

I wondered if there was a NICE reporting facility, where you can contact them and make a complaint about a specific hospital not following guidelines, but so far I've not been able to find who actually enforces the guidelines. She's very distressed.

She has every right to request a completely different consultant/midwife/care team but it may be hard as she's already very stressed, what a horrible situation.

My situation will be the same if they refuse - I'm just hoping that it doesn't happen, I hope she gets some support x

 

[Shezza84uk]

Seen as they refused she need to make the step of going to her GP and ask to be refereed to the mental health team. Once she see's the maternal well being psychologist they will schedule a meeting for her basically she need others to fight her corner and that means getting metal heath involved as that's considered medical reasons.

Once that's done they will write supporting letters to her consultant stating she is suffering from maternal anxiety and will be severely affect by natural child birth.

Hope she gets what she wants after all its her body her choice!! xx