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Moray mum tells of induction 'nightmare'


By Sarah Rollo

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Dr Gray's Hospital, Shiobhan Love, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, AMH, NHS Grampian, NHS
Dr Gray's Hospital, Shiobhan Love, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, AMH, NHS Grampian, NHS

AN expectant Moray mum has hit out at NHS Grampian for the care she received as she waited to have her baby.

Shiobhan Love was due to be induced at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital (AMH) on Sunday, but was told there was a backlog and to call back the following day.

When she telephoned on Monday she was told to no longer call Aberdeen but to wait by the phone. By then, she was 11 days overdue.

The downgrading of consultant-led services at Dr Gray's in July has led to inductions taking place in Aberdeen.

During August and September, just one in five babies born to Moray and Banff families arrived at the Moray hospital.

Last week, a review team from the Scottish Government travelled to Dr Gray's to meet staff and community representatives in a move to drive forward attempts to restore services, which have suffered due to crippling staff shortages.

A spokesperson for the health board said: "We continue to work closely with the government and are now awaiting feedback from the CMO Advisory Group, who are actively working on this."

Meanwhile, campaign group Keep MUM said Moray mums are continuing to suffer and described Shiobhan's situation as "completely unacceptable".

Sharing her experience through the group's campaign site, Shiobhan wrote: "This has gone too far, they are now playing what feels like Russian Roulette with my family.

"I am now 11 days overdue and was told today on the phone to no longer phone Aberdeen but to wait by the phone for them to phone me.

"They are over-capacity basically and have no space for me to have my baby."

She added: "I completely understand that they are struggling but what happens to me?

"This is supposed to be one of the best times in our lives, I am having a baby, but it's turning into a nightmare with me waiting at a phone with everything on hold praying that they phone me with a space that I still need to travel two hours to.

"How can this be acceptable in this day and age that I can't even go to the local hospital 20 minutes away and have my baby?"

NHS Grampian apologised for any distress caused to Mrs Love.

A spokesperson added: "Senior members of NHS Grampian staff have been in touch with her directly to discuss her situation.

"We know postponing or delaying a woman's induction of labour may cause some anxiety. Unfortunately, inductions may happen early in the morning or late in the evening, according to the availability of staff and a bed.

"Given the increased activity at AMH and the unpredictability of that activity, we make the most appropriate decision based on the safety of our patients and staff.

"We are doing our utmost to communicate this effectively to women and we accept this was not done well for this patient."

Women would normally be informed of the reasons why their induction may be postponed and given additional information.

The spokesperson continued: "Women whose induction needs to be delayed are being offered additional checks in line with current guidance. All women are being asked if they can be contacted at any time, in the event of early or late slots coming available."

The health board paid tribute to the team at AMH, as well as community midwifery teams from across Moray for their continued support of expectant mums.


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