Care Opinion

Maternity Waiting Area

Posted By Lady 2018M

"Maternity Waiting Area"

About: Inverclyde Royal Hospital / Maternity care

(as the patient),

I recently suffered a miscarriage. I was cared for my the wonderful team of midwives in F-North who were all brilliant and swift with reviewing me when I was going through a really tough time.

After my miscarriage was confirmed I had to re-attend for another couple of appointments. Both times, I was asked to take a seat in the waiting area- the communal waiting area was for everyone-baby or no baby.

I did feel that it was unfair and insensitive. I had to sit in the same waiting area as all the clearly still pregnant mothers to be. I was devastated and still coming to terms with it. Sitting there, I was surrounded by the reminder of what I had lost and what everything they had to come. I felt so upset by it I began to walk outside the unit to wait, but then my name was called.

I expressed my thoughts to the midwife who said it was a common query that came up, with a lot of women feeling that way. If this is the case can a different waiting area be considered for patients and their families who have suffered a miscarriage? 

This is something so small that could make such a difference to those of us who have had a loss. I seriously hope I don't have to go through a miscarriage again and if so I hope their is a more appropriate waiting area for mothers who miscarry.

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Responses

Response from Pamela McGoldrick, Senior Organisational Development Advisor, Women & Children's Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 5 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Pamela McGoldrick
Senior Organisational Development Advisor, Women & Children's Services,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 07/01/2019 at 12:35
Published on Care Opinion at 14:54

picture of Pamela McGoldrick

Dear Lady 2018M

Thank you for sharing your feedback on Care Opinion.

I am very sorry to hear about your sad loss and understand that this must be a difficult time for you and your family.

Thank you for your kind comments regarding the care you received from the team in F North. I will ensure your feedback is fed back to the team and I know they will appreciate receiving this.

I would like to extend an apology to you regarding the distress caused by sharing a waiting area with other expectant woman. I agree that this was very insensitive and unacceptable. I have reviewed the waiting area with the team and we have agreed it will be possible to convert a room into an additional waiting area for women who may have suffered a loss in their pregnancy. This change will be in effect within a very short timescale.

I hope it is of some comfort to you to know that we have fully acknowledged the concerns that you raise and we are committed to making a change that prevents this problem arising for other women in the future.

I hope that you are recovering well over time.

Best wishes

Dorothy Finlay

Lead Midwife

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Response from Pamela McGoldrick, Senior Organisational Development Advisor, Women & Children's Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 5 years ago
We have made a change
Pamela McGoldrick
Senior Organisational Development Advisor, Women & Children's Services,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 14/02/2019 at 11:15
Published on Care Opinion at 12:04

picture of Pamela McGoldrick

Dear Lady 2018M

I hope this post finds you well.

Following your earlier feedback we committed to making a change in the waiting area that would improve the experience of women who find themselves in a similar situation.

Following an immediate review the accommodation was reconfigured and there is now a dedicated waiting area for women who may have suffered a loss during their pregnancy.

We are very appreciative that you took the time to share your feedback which has directly contributed to this change and what we hope is an improvement for women at what can be a very difficult time.

Best wishes

Dorothy Finlay

Lead Midwife

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