"Found it incredibly hard to sit in a general waiting room"

I sadly had a miscarriage early this year. I was sent to the Early Pregnancy Unit, and knowing something was wrong, found it incredibly hard to sit in a general waiting room full of people waiting for their fracture appointments, I’m not sure when this changed from a private unit. I then (having found out there was no heartbeat) had to walk back into the crowded waiting room, and stand in between two people booking into non EPU clinics to book a follow up. I had to announce what I needed in front of a whole waiting room, again I didn't feel a desk in between two other outpatient clinic desks was the best place for such a sensitive situation.

The saving grace of this situation was the wonderful doctors and the healthcare assistant. I was treated with such dignity and I would like to highlight Dr. Alexander. I was in an emotional state and was met with such compassion and kindness, I was given space to talk and was listened to with a plan going forward. I felt as though he genuinely cared and although he must do this every day, I won’t forget the way he treated me at such a vulnerable and upsetting time in my life. 

I also wonder whether the appointment system needs to be looked at from a general view. I was unable to cancel my 12 week scan and midwife appointments as the numbers on my chart were general hospital numbers. I spent ages on hold to various departments trying to get through and after 2 days was able to cancel my scan. I had to wait for a text reminder to cancel my midwife appointment as there was no way to get through, and even when I received confirmation via text, I still ( 3 days later) got a call while I was at the EPU from the midwives about ‘my upcoming appointment’ as they hadn’t been notified I had cancelled. 

I persevered as I didn’t want to go down as a DNA but I could easily have given up trying, especially when cancelling for a loss.