I intend to focus on the basic issues such as personal freedoms, women's rights, patient's rights etc. Policies are not mandates, but guidelines - and common sense should prevail. In the end, if women are treated better they will be less likely to sue as a final resort in difficult circumstances.
The underlying problem we both faced was that the staff were fearful because of their own lack of skills and so they reacted defensively. Hospitals cannot afford to employ underskilled people who lack basic midwifery know-how because it places their institutions at risk (of catastophes and of being sued). It is the hospital's responsibility to make sure that staff are well trained and competent, and I think that midwives have some of that responsibility as well, especially if they want to be employed. Perhaps you could include some of these ideas in your letter. The emotional stuff must go in as well, because it is valid and points to the trauma you suffered as a result of the staff's actions.
I remember the story that went around a couple of years ago about how the policy on water births in Lismore Hospital was changed when one couple made it clear (in writing) during the labour, that if the plug was pulled in the bath, she would sue. It took a week for the policy to be removed. This story really cheered everyone up at the time and was a good example of how action is sometimes needed to force and issue. Perhaps you can devise a similar strategy for women who plan hospital births in your area if your letter and other feedback doesn't do the trick. THe only way to get experience is to have practice, so forcing the issue may be a roundabout way of making sure they get the practice (and experience)!
As I read your story, it seemed that lack of communication and listening to the woman's requests was the heart of the matter. You don't need data and research to back a complaint about this - you just need to let them know how the woman (and you) felt about it. I would include the direct quotes from your message in the letter you sent and also the comments about the looks you received and the impressions created. Feelings and emotions cannot be denied, because they are real. No-one can say that you didn't feel them, because you did.
I wonder if a face-to-face meeting with the midwives and doctors that were invovled would help? It may sound too daunting, but unless they get the feedback they may never know how you felt, and their managers may never raise these issues with them. A meeting like this may enable you to resolve some of your own feelings and if you stick to "I" messages, and make assertive, not aggressive statements, then it may have some useful outcomes. May be another way to tackle this issue....?
Hope some of this helps - and I hope you can begin to resolve some of your grief through taking some appropriate action. Best wishes with the struggle..... we are allwith you on this one!
Warm regards,
Andrea
At 05:44 PM 6/01/2003, Sue Cookson wrote:
Hi Andrea, Thankyou for your lovely words and some help in the direction I can take here. Do you have specific information/data/policies you will be referring to when writing to the hospital re your recent awful circumstance? I would really like to include information other than the emotive stuff I felt.
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