"Inappropriate staff behaviour EPA"

Unfortunately, once again, I was required to use the services of EPA at Glasgow Royal. 

I have previously written about the treatment I received last year and I am saddened that I feel I need to bring this to the attention of the hospital once again. 

I attended EPA after some bleeding, and was given a scan. Unfortunately my baby was not measuring what it should have and there was lack of evidence of a heartbeat. As is protocol, a second member of staff is required to confirm the absence of a heart beat.

Bearing in mind, I had a probe internally and I had been given some bad news, I was crying. Loudly. The staff member entered the room with a cheery “hiya!”  Which, to be quite honest was brutal and upset me even more.

It has continued to be on my mind with just how upsetting it was. It is not any staff member's fault with what happened, but all I have ever hoped for was care and compassion. I feel it goes without saying that appropriate staff behaviour should really be at the heart of patient centred care. This behaviour was disgusting and lacking in compassion or empathy.

It might not seem like much to most people, but having had a really bad experience with complete lack of care the last time, and returning to bad news with a lack of empathy is just so disappointing.

I did have to have subsequent visits following, of which I will say I felt like I received much better one to one and individual care, and for that I thank you.

Unfortunately, I probably will need to see EPA in the future and this provides me with great anxiety and dread, not necessarily because of receiving bad news but I have no idea whether I will be treated with care or not. Therefore, I am writing to also help any other poor person who might have a bad experience.