Women continue to raise concerns over early pregnancy concerns/miscarriage care in Galway

Since the death of Savita Halappanavar, AIMS Ireland has been contacted by concerned women regarding their care in early pregnancy and during miscarriage in Galway's UCGH. Many women prefer to remain anonymous, others ask to share their stories.

In March, AIMS Ireland shared the story of a woman who was left waiting three weeks during a miscarriage without care. As a result she travelled abroad for treatment.
Her story is available here: STORY

AIMS Ireland has been contacted by another woman today with regards to her treatment and delay for early pregnancy assessment despite bleeding and GP referral. This is her story in her own words.

I want to make you aware of a particularly unhappy situation in Galway University Hospital at present at their EPU.

The wait time for a scan at the early pregnancy unit is currently between a week and two weeks. They do not offer any scan services at weekends.

These scan appointments are following GP referral for bleeding and cramping.

I myself have been spotting, yet following a letter from my doctor, they offered me a scan date 2 weeks later. This is with a previous history of miscarriage. My symptoms worsened and I presented myself at the unit, to be offered an internal and a blood test, but a point blank refusal to scan me despite severe pain and heavy bleeding. The doctors that I dealt with at the EPU this time were actually very nice, but you could see that their hands were tied also. It is difficult to endure any kind of bleeding in pregnancy, but at least a scan gives you peace of mind either way, be it a good or bad outcome. Nobody should have to wait so long to learn of that outcome. I have been so stressed and anxious - difficulty eating/sleeping - as a result of this huge almost inhumane delay to be scanned. It is not good enough. Nobody should have to wait so long to learn of that outcome.

In the end, I resorted to a private scan as I needed to know. Luckily all is ok. But what about those for whom a private scan is not an option? Are we women in Galway not entitled to equivalent care as received in Cork or Limerick or Dublin?

If I broke a bone, would I have to wait two weeks for an X-ray? No. Why then, if a woman bleeds in early pregnancy, should she wait two weeks for an ultrasound?

If you have an experience you would like to share or if you would like support following an experience please contact us at support@aimsireland.com