Back in 2014 I was in London for work. I was also 13 weeks pregnant and had a scare. I rang 111 for help as the walk in centre near where I was had closed. I was in quite a state, but the lady on the phone calmed down, reassured me and said she was happy to get a doctor to call me, but understanding that I would rather see someone directed me to the Urgent Care centre at Guys hospital.
When I got there, with my suitcase and clearly not local, the receptionist on duty couldn't have been more unhelpful in my opinion. The receptionist curtly told me that I had come to the wrong place, and that 111 was always sending people to them when they shouldn't. They also said that I needed to be at St Thomas early pregnancy unit, but that I wouldn't get there in time. When I said I had been sent here I was told something along the lines of 'we're talking about the life of your child here'. As if I didn't know that, but make no offer for me to see someone or tell me where I should go.
Unsurprisingly I burst into tears. At that they receptionist disappeared and it fell to one of the other patients to comfort me and sit me down. It transpired that they had gone to get a nurse who was incredibly helpful, but at the time I felt scared, alone and abandoned.
I did think about complaining at the time, but it transpired I had had a miscarriage which took three months to sort out, so I had other things on my mind and I wasn't sure how to go about it
"Unhelpful receptionist"
About: Guy's Hospital Guy's Hospital London SE1 9RT
Posted by zanadoo (as ),
Do you have a similar story to tell?
Tell your story & make a difference ››
Responses
See more responses from Beth Wilcox