"No emergency scan due to staff shortage"

At 6 weeks pregnant I started to suffer from extreme pain and bleeding. After sadly having 3 previous miscarriages I was worried beyond belief and went to A&E to get checked out. The A&E staff were fantastic and promptly booked me into the maternity unit to attend an emergency scan in 2 days time. I turned up to my appointment 20 minutes early, with a full bladder and all the paperwork I would need. I waited and waited, growing more and more scared that once again I would be told the devastating news that I would not be a mother. Finally, a member of staff came to ask my name (the whole reception desk and receptionist had been abolished just before my visit) and I was told I did not have an appointment that day. I showed them the piece of paper I was given in A&E stating the time and date of my scan and all I was told was 'We don't have time to scan you today due to staff shortages'.

I was told to go home and I would be contacted with another scan date. I left the hospital in tears, not even knowing if my baby was alive or not. I am appalled that I was treated this way and it saddens me to think I might not have been the only one. Needless to say, I contacted PALS straight away and lodged a complaint.

I am hoping to give birth at the Cotswold Birth Centre, being transferred to the JR in Oxford if needed. I want to avoid the Horton at all costs.