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Problems with booking scans

Story from nhs.uk

"Problems with booking scans"

About: Kettering General Hospital / Maternity

I am 13 weeks pregnant with my first baby and so far I have only been frustrated with the admin side of the Rockingham wing ultrasound department. I have never received a letter with details of my dating scan and if I didn't ring to inquire, I would have missed it completely! When I did ring and mentioned that the letter never arrived, I was told that 'there is so many of us' which I don't believe is a respectful response to a first time mother who relies on the hospital for information and advice. I have never received the date of my next scan and after ringing the department I was told they would have offered me some dates and if they were not suitable I will need to wait until I am 18 or 19 week's pregnant. First of all, I was not offered any dates, I was told to ring and book it. And now I am told I will receive a letter and if I don't then to ring when I'm 19 weeks pregnant. If the anomaly scan is meant to happen between 18 - 21 weeks then what difference does it make if it's booked now or in 6 week's time? It will still need to happen within the same time period! Or maybe it will just get missed like my first one nearly did due to lack of communication from the department. I have no complaints about the care itself, it's the admin side of things - the staff is dismissive, lacks communication and provides contradicting information.

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Responses

Response from Kettering General Hospital 7 years ago
Kettering General Hospital

Submitted on 23/01/2017 at 14:32
Published on nhs.uk on 24/01/2017 at 01:36

Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback about the service you have received from the ultrasound department on Rockingham Wing and I am sorry that you feel frustrated by the admin system. It is unusual for patients not to receive a letter or phone call to notify of a booking appointment within the department and I will look into how this might happen. Unfortunately, the department has been receiving an increasing number of referrals that has resulted in the availability of scan appointments being at a premium. Consequently, choice of appointment slots have been reduced. Additionally, as each sonographer undertakes their own dedicated scan list, scans cannot be booked more than 4 weeks in advance until we know the availability of sonographers to undertake scan lists. We aim as a department to undertake the anomaly scan at around 20 weeks and 6 days gestation in order to minimise the requirement for a repeat scan but also to allow the opportunity within a further two week period for this to be done, if necessary within the national guideline timeframe.

I understand that you feel that communication has not been of an appropriate standard and I assure you that I will address this issue within the admin function of the department for future reference. Please do not hesitate to make contact if you require further clarification arising from your concerns.

In the meantime, I wish you all the best in your pregnancy.

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