Sadly, it was a matter of time...
IT WAS with great sadness that we read the Guernsey Press of 3 October and learned the sad news of a local family who lost their baby earlier this year on Loveridge Ward. Our sadness was deepened by the fact that we have known for the last few years that it was just a matter of time before it happened.
While many who have had children on Loveridge Ward have had a positive experience, we were among the growing number of patients whose treatment fell below poor and into the realms of horrific.
Our treatment during labour, delivery and while recovering on the ward was at best negligent and at worse, abusive.
Failings at all levels of seniority, from consultants through to junior midwives, made what should have been the happiest time of our lives into a living nightmare.
At the time, we raised our concerns about mistakes and documented our complaints in writing to the head of the hospital, head of midwifery and the Medical Specialist Group. While the hospital promised to look into things, the MSG brushed off the complaints with an air of arrogance and insults.
Having spoken to many parents who have had similar experiences over the past few years, it is obvious that nothing was done and that no improvements have been made. It is saddening that it has taken the death of a baby to finally bring this matter into the public eye. Hopefully, finally something will be done to improve the levels of treatment in this vital part of the island's health care system.
To the family: we are so sorry for your loss. So, so, so very sorry. You have paid a price no one should ever have to pay. Our pain cannot even begin to match the depth of yours but please know this. You aren't alone. This wasn't your fault.
If there's anything we can ever do to help, we are here.
KRISTIN AND JAMIE VIDAMOUR.
Editor's footnote:
We do not take any complaint lightly and we have a robust procedure in place, under which any grievance is thoroughly investigated; if a complainant is not satisfied with this internal review, they have the option to then take the matter through the Health and Social Services Department's complaints procedure.
Details of the MSG's complaints procedure can be accessed via the website at www.msg.gg or by telephoning our clinical governance manager on 238565.'
A spokesman for the Health and Social Services Department responds: 'Thank you for the opportunity to respond to this letter – it is a concern that the care this family received was so substandard.
The department has been committed to ensuring regular reviews are undertaken of the quality and consistency of care that is provided by its maternity services and the associated supervision of midwives. The most recent such annual review was carried out by the local supervising authority earlier this year. There are also regular service reviews required in contract with the Medical Specialist Group, the last of which in relation to obstetric and gynaecological services was in 2011.
The department recently commissioned a wider external review of maternity care to include obstetrics, midwifery and gynaecology, also incorporating the experiences of women and families as part of the evaluation and assessment of the care that is provided across the breadth of our maternity services. Each aspect of care, from antenatal care to obstetric and midwifery practice to peri-natal and paediatric care, will form part of this wider review of maternity services.
It is entirely appropriate that we seek out the evidence to inform us on areas of good practice as well as areas in which improvement can and must be made.
As a department, this is what must be done so that our patients and service users receive the care they expect and deserve from all our health and social care services, including our maternity services.
In relation to the concerns that this family has previously raised with the department and the Medical Specialist Group, if they would be willing to contact the HSSD patient liaison officer at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital (725241 Ext: 4230), we will, of course, review the concerns they previously raised and revisit any specific matters that may be of particular importance or relevance to this family and also to the services we deliver.
Likewise, I would strongly encourage any users of HSSD or its partners' services to provide feedback as and when the need arises. If, for any reason, the outcome of this process is not completely satisfactory, then it can be referred to an external organisation. More information is provided at www.gov.gg/userinvolvement.'
