"Aftercare-bad experience"

What I liked

During my labour at Broomfield, i found my mid-wife very helpful and friendly and gave me support thoughout my time on the labour ward. The labour ward was very clean and all cleaners were hands on.

Unfortunately, i had a emergency c-section and the emergency team were brilliant and very supportive as well.... my c-section went well and no problems arised.

What could be improved

It was my aftercare that was appauling on the post-natal ward. My baby wasn't fed during the night-as i was unable to do this due to surgery and not being able to feel my legs. The next morning i had asked a nurse to help me sit up in bed as i was sliding down the bed and could not do this without support...the nurse replied 'i'm afraid i can not help you due to 'Health & Safety' reasons.' I was disgusted by what i just heard and i felt very alone. I am a Support Worker myself and to be able to do my job i have to have training to do manual handling to support those unable to help themselves, this should be offered to all doctors and nurses that are working in enviroments like these.

I was asked to have a shower and i had a cleaner help me with my wash bag into the shower room... i had no 1-2-1 support with personal care and i found showering on my own very difficult and most of all painful.... No one had offered to support me in doing this day to day task.

You never saw a nurse on hand.... they were too busy discussing what was on t.v that night, i remember them talking about the x-factor and their opinions on the show. I just couldn't wait for my partner to get the the post-natal ward quick, so that he could help me.

Overall my aftercare was disgusting (Care isn't Care no more)

Anything else?

Staff traning needs to be looked into as manual handling was appauling....