"This had a massive impact on my recovery and mental health"

I was admitted to Ward 50 at QEUH following a C-section and frankly appalled at the level of care. The NHS is running with severe staff shortages which is not the fault of the staff however this should not impact their attitude when on shift.

I had a higher than average blood loss during the surgery which I was told instead of giving me a blood transfusion I would receive 3 doses of iron daily instead. I was an inpatient for 3 days and didn't receive a single dose and when I questioned it on several occasions I was told they would look into it.

I was also informed that there was a shortage of dihydrocodeine but there was no replacement analgesia provided which impacted recovery. My baby was admitted to NICU following their birth where I was desperate to go see them. I was told in recovery that once I had some rest the staff in the ward would take me to see them. I asked in the ward after an hour or so if someone could take me to them and was told in a very cold manner from the midwife that I would only get to see my baby once my spinal had worn off which would be hours which naturally caused me distress due to the conflicting information.

An auxiliary walked me to the bathroom at one stage and stated that my legs were still not 100% back to normal so not to get up to walk myself until I was reassessed, that same auxiliary came to ask me about 20 minutes later why I hadn't went and collected dinner. 1. I didnt know dinner was in the ward, 2. I didn't know you had to go and get it yourself as this was never communicated and 3. I was told 20 minutes prior not to get up myself by that same auxiliary.

When the spinal had worn off I asked for an anti sickness to take alongside the oxynorm as I still felt nauseous and would be out the ward for some time in the NICU with my baby to which the response from the midwife was - well that's not policy, you can only get it if you feel sick.

It appeared no matter who you spoke to everything was an issue or you were rudely spoken back to at a very vulnerable time. The buzzer was left on the wall and the table not within reach while I was still numb and couldn't get access to anything.

There should be 3 patients in the ward however, due to the volume of patients there was always 4 in the room. The staff closed the curtains at all times and the room was extremely crammed, warm and claustrophobic. The Nightshift staff were extremely loud so there was no rest at night even when the babies slept.

My baby was brought to the ward late at night, my partner was told he wasn't allowed to stay but no one showed any support in the way of asking if I was breast feeding/ knew how to latch the baby on/discuss how I got formula if I was choosing to bottle feed/how to swaddle the baby safely, if I had enough nappies etc. As a first time mum you really are clueless and without your partner there to help get through those first few nights together, you should be able to feel comfortable in asking for help from the staff. I found the staff attitudes were just always cold and as if you were a bother.

I raised concerns a few times about my wound and the increasing pain I was getting from it to which I was told it would be sore as I've just had surgery. I was subsequently readmitted a week later with 2 large infected haematomas which required multiple doses of antibiotics due to growing a bug in the wound. I also asked on the first night once I returned from seeing my baby in NICU when my catheter would come out as I wasn't keen to have this in any longer than needed due to risk of retaining urine or getting an infection. I was told as I was out the ward I missed the opportunity to have it out so it would just need to stay in overnight which then lead to issues trying to pass urine the next day.

My sheets and gown were blood soaked and I asked for fresh sheets and said I would even change the bed myself which I was told I wasn't allowed to do yet once I returned to the ward 3 hours after being in NICU the same blood soaked sheets were still on the bed and I had to go back out and ask for them to be changed.

I was finally discharged on day 3 and have never been so happy to get home. I was also discharged with 2 Clexane less than I should have had.

Overall, I found the care and attitudes of staff was shocking especially at an extremely stressful and vulnerable time. Not having my partner there for support overnight also had a massive impact on my recovery and mental health as there was very little help from the staff.

I wouldn't have another baby at the QEUH as a result from all of the above