"visit to maternity assessment unit MAU"

Was sent straight to the MAU having seen my local midwife for further assessment. There are a few issues I would like to highlight that I encountered during my visit;

1. Parking - the multi storey car park is a significant distance away from the lower buildings such as the maternity block yet particularly during the day seems to be the only option as the other car parks are full, with people even having to park outside of allocated car park slots. Not sure why non emergency staff don't use this multi storey car park as this would free up a lot of spaces in a car park located closer to the lower buildings currently allocared just for staff.

2. Lack of seating - more seats required on 2nd floor of the maternity block. A relative of a patient had to give up there seat in order for me to sit down! There is plenty of room for more seating to be added, particularly with the amount of people that visit MAU, delivery suite and neonatal and the long waiting times, this is absolutely necessary.

3. Food - having me and my family including young son been out the house since 11 that morning naturally by 5 we were all getting hungry.

- all food and drink dispensers in maternity building were unavailable to use a debit card (yet no sign to advise of this and no sign to say where nearest cashpoint is or nearest working food dispenser was located)

- cafe closed by 4.30 but no signs to advise of details of other food or shop outlets in other blocks.

- asked the receptionist whether the shop in the main building (which i happened to notice as i walked through) was still open, their answer was "I'm not sure, I don't go up there") I explained that I needed to go back in asap so i don't want to have a wasted journey their response "it's only a short walk" I asked if they could phone to find out (not being funny I'm pregnant with the start of preeclampsia and a young child I'm not walking somewhere to find out it could be closed and then still have no food!) Their response "they didn't have a number" I asked if they knew the number for the main building "reluctantly they phoned the switch board" no answer!! Eventually they mentioned there was a subway In the Lyme building ... hallelujah!!

Firstly as a receptionist they should know this basic information the amount of patients, relatives, visitors that come to the maternity department and require food this is basic information and also their attitude should be If they are not sure that they will find out and not expect people to be roaming around other buildings searching for food outlets. In addition all of this should be signposted for all patients to be aware of in the event the cafe is closed.

4. Pregnancy notes - Should be utilised, despite details clearly written in my notes about my condition. I had to continually point out to midwives what was written in my notes and what I had been referred for. It was very clear despite them having the notes off me they had not been read.