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Care during contractions

Posted By flutems55

"Care during contractions"

About: South West Health

(as the patient),

Recently I spoke to the midwife at my local hospital about a plan if I do go into labour, and they said I would have to go to a different hospital (further away) because there’s only one midwife on at a time. We talked, all good. Then last night, I got bad contractions, so I went to my local hospital. Everything was fine, and the nurses rang the midwife.

The midwife rang me and was basically being a bit short with me, saying that they thought they told me to go to the other hospital if I am in labour. The midwife told me they couldn’t come back because they live 40 minutes away from hospital, and they reckon they’d go over their hours if they drove all the way to the hospital just to check if I was dilated but this would have saved me a trip to the other hospital at midnight.

But why should I put my baby at risk by driving 40 minutes? Even a nurse at the other hospital was shocked. In my opinion, the midwife’s paid to be on call, so they should be doing their job to make sure I can get the care I should.

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Responses

Response from Amy Gumbrell, Regional Clinical Midwifery Consultant , WACHS, WA Country Health Service 3 months ago
Amy Gumbrell
Regional Clinical Midwifery Consultant , WACHS,
WA Country Health Service

Submitted on 24/12/2024 at 2:24 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 27/12/2024 at 4:10 PM

Dear flutems55,

Thank-you for taking the time to share your recent experience. My name is Amy Gumbrell and I am the Clinical Midwifery Consultant (manager) of the South-West Maternity Group Practices (Warren Blackwood, Collie, Margaret River and Bunbury MGPs).

I sincerely hope that you are okay, and I’m sorry to hear about the stressful experience that you had. I’m sure it must have been very disappointing to feel like you weren’t being fully supported in such an important time and to feel like you were placing your baby at risk. I am sorry that the midwife in question did not provide the expected level of care and communication and that this caused you distress.

We as a service have taken your feedback seriously and I would like to assure you that it is important to both myself and the staff in the Maternity Group Practices around the South-West that you feel safe, secure and well supported while you are in our care.

I would like the opportunity to discuss your concerns personally, and I would appreciate you contacting me via email amy.gumbrell@health.wa.gov.au or via telephone on 0436005881 during business hours.

Thankyou again for taking the time to provide your feedback and raise your concerns.

Warm regards,

Amy Gumbrell

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Response from Amy Gumbrell, Regional Clinical Midwifery Consultant , WACHS, WA Country Health Service 3 months ago
Amy Gumbrell
Regional Clinical Midwifery Consultant , WACHS,
WA Country Health Service

Submitted on 30/12/2024 at 5:31 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 31/12/2024 at 10:01 AM

Dear flutems55,

Thank-you for taking the time to discuss your concerns with me on the phone last week. We take matters such as these seriously, and as we discussed, I would like to again assure you that I have followed up on your concerns directly with the team providing your care and the matter has been addressed.

Your input is invaluable in helping us maintain the high standards we strive for, and we appreciate your understanding as we work to ensure a better experience moving forward.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I wish you all the best for your upcoming birth, and a very happy 2025 with your newest addition to your family.

Warm regards,

Amy Gumbrell

Clinical Midwifery Consultant - South West Midwifery Group Practices

E: amygumbrell@health.wa.gov.au

P: 0436005881

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