"Awful treatment at A&E and maternity ward"

Anything else?

I was taken in to A&E via ambulance having fainted whilst 20 weeks pregnant with twins. The ambulance paramedics were fantastic but it's a shame I can't say the same for the two departments I ended up in!

I was handed over to A&E staff, who asked me to give a urine sample. I was then left in a wheelchair in the middle of the room -nowhere else to go and felt completely in the way. Half an hour later a nurse returned and asked if I knew that I was pregnant! Seriously!

I was then told that they couldn't do anything for me so would be transferred to maternity. I then had to wait an hour for a porter despite pleading with nurses to let my husband take me up.

Upon arrival at the maternity ward, I had to sit in an incredibly uncomfortable seat, which with SPD was almost unbearable. I asked straight away if my maternity notes would be needed as we had just popped to the shops when I fainted so didn't have them with me. I was told categorically that no, I would not need them as I would e given paperwork to add on the folder.

There seemed to be no system for he king in patients and we were left to decide amongst ourselves who should be seen next! Four hours later it was finally my turn and a different midwife asked for my notes. When I replied that the other midwife had informed me that I wouldn't need them she said that was wrong and my husband would have to take the hour round trip to get them. Cue more waiting! I asked if I could have some sort of food or drink as I hadn't eaten since 3pm and it was now 10pm. I was told I could have a cup of tea or go to find the vending machines which i did not want to do for fear of fainting again! i do not drink tea so had to ask my husband to pick up something or me. This meant he was even longer returning.

I was eventually seen at 11.30pm and was greeted with disgust when I informed the midwife that I was not booked in with Croydon University hospital. She quickly checked the babies heartbeats and was quick to get me out without checking for reasons why I had fainted in the first place. No bloods were taken or any further questions asked. I was discharged with no further comments.

I felt so unsure that i went to my hospital the day after where they carried out tests and found that I needed treatment for low iron levels.

All in all an appalling standard of care and little regard for my situation! I am really glad I took advice and stayed away from this hospital when choosing where to have my maternity care!