Actually they did not really say that they found no basis - they said that
they could not find enough proof.
They have carefully stated that although regrettable that my expectatrions
were not met the evidence indicates that there was adequate care. It does
not say that I had "good" care and as for the scar they have stated that the
fact that i had been assured of it being on the old scar line could not be
confirmed.
It is a very carefully written letter which then offers a meeting with the
investigator which i may do. i would like to speak with him about how women
are meant to be heard and what he thinks could be done to improve this
situation. They have all but said "Yes, they didn't do well - but they
didn't do REALLY BAD either."
Statements like "It is apparent that the situation was stressful for all
concerned, and in such circumstances it is not unusual for the outcome to be
unsatisfactory to the parties." Perhaps the doctors didn't get their
jollies out of the birth either - sorry to be sarcastic but how could it be
unsatisfactory for them???
So I intend to battle on and go and see this investigator to make sure they
do understand that I am not going to just accept it all. i intend to make a
few more waves before I finish and yes I do feel that i have caused a fuss.
I have made my point loud and clear and even though they had the paperwork
written in such a way that i had no hope and they had even gone to the
effort of doubling up on pages of my ctg where I had removed it to go to the
toilet so it looked like I removed it several times instead of once. This
was a clever trick. They just photocopied the same bit over if you looked
closely it was identicle. Tricks to make a woman look silly! Even fooled
me for a moment but as I knew I had not - i looked closer.
I know that even if not admitted to me - for the doctor to chase me down
the road 8 weeks after the delivery (He must have been worried about my
complaint - he must have known he had done wrong!)
And the MPB didn't see anything wrong with that either!!!
Some of the responses have shown the doctors fear and I think they may have
learned just a little from my ranting and raving. Perhaps that has affected
more than I will ever know. Perhaps that has made changes that i will never
see and I can only hope that as time goes on women become more able to take
control of their births and if they do place trust in the medical
profession - that trust is not betrayed.
So looking closely and reading betwen the lines I think there was a degree
of acceptance that they had done wrong but it was still well hidden and
"Medical Facts" however conflicting were more important than my right to any
choice or care.
I have clearly stated that i was not "Cared for" I was "TREATED" There is
a huge difference.
Women deserve more than treatment.
I will let you know how the meeting goes - I think I will be armed with well
chosen and written questions and I will give it a lot of thought beforehand.
Regards
Rhonda.
Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who
have searched, and those who have tried. For only they can
appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2001 11:36 PM
Subject: Re: Bemused!
> Hello Rhonda,
>
> I am deeply sadden by your news that the MPB has found no basis to your
> complaint. I am deeply sorry for yourself and Geoff and your family, for I
> know this has taken a great toll on all of you.
>
> Accountability is very difficult to get from the medical profession. They
are
> basically a law unto themselves. You and Geoff have done an amazing thing
for
> toughing it out this long and I admire your strength, courage and
> determination to be heard. I imagine that no words of mine can ever to
hope
> to lessen your grief, but I believe that you have been incredibly powerful
in
> standing up for what you knew to be a huge injustice perpetrated on
yourself
> and your baby. To speak out against such an almighty force in such
difficult
> circumstances is a task in its self, something for which you can be proud
and
> take comfort in knowing you did your best. To never have tried at all, as
> difficult as it has been, would to have been untrue to yourself!! At least
> you know that your concious is free Rhonda and to live and be present with
> one's self and your truths, if for nothing else, is to have held onto that
> which is priceless indeed!!!! No one can take that away from you !!!
>
> While you haven't got the outcome you so desperately wanted Rhonda (and
> deserved), you as a woman, as a consumer of maternity services still have
the
> power to speak out in telling your story. Continue to tell your story to
> those who will listen, in the hope that others can learn from what you
have
> to share. As challenging and difficult as it is for some to hear stories
such
> as yours Rhonda, its important that they do!!!! They need to hear from
women
> how their actions or lack of more often than not, effects women so deeply,
so
> profoundly for the rest of their lives. This wounding, suffered by women
> during times of great vulnerability at the hands of people with whom they
> place their trust, is one of the great injustices and betrayals one can
> endure. Its only by hearing stories like yours that they can ever hope to
> learn this and hopefully reflect on what it is they do and what they can
do
> to change it. Believe it or not Rhonda, I feel you have done alot already
> towards doing this for some!!!
>
> My warmest thoughts are with you, Geoff and your children.
> I hope when the time is right for you can find some peace and use what you
> know to grow in strength and wisdom and share it with others.
>
> Take care,
>
> Yours in birth,
> Tina Pettigrew
> Birthworks
> Independent CBE and aspiring B.Mid Midwife.
> Convenor, Aust B. Mid Student Collective.
>
> " As we trust the flowers to open to new life
> - So we can trust birth"
> Harriette Hartigan.
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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