"Antenatal/maternity"

Anything else?

I attended chase farm for my booking in appointment and my 12-week scan and decided I would not be returning almost instantly. The building itself was filthy with food etc spilt all over the chairs and Sellotape holding them together. Each time I went to reception I felt as though I was interrupting their private conversations and after waiting several hours to be seen and explaining that I needed to go to work I was told that 'the first rule of parenting was to make sacrifices for your baby.' I found the staff rude, patronising and felt that everything was a bit too much effort for them.

We were asked to attend a group session, during which we were asked if any women wanted to share symptoms of their pregnancy or any other issues. I think this is inappropriate and was extremely uncomfortable. Whilst I am sure this is very cost effective for the trust it is not helpful for the patients, especially as first time parents.

The midwife that spoke to us assumed that we wanted to have our baby at the Ridgeway birthing centre and when I asked what that was she replied that its 'home from home & where all the mums want to have their babies.' Helpful?! Overall the experience has been shocking, and although the department is not closing down until November it appears that the staff have given up already!