Hospital complaints & records

[Nickimumto1]

I don't know if this is the correct place for this post but when i had my DS at a public hospital the anti natal care i recieved did not respect my wishes or my repaeted requests, and lead to added stress when i went in to labour. I was advised to put in a complaint for which i did at the end of Feb and recieved a letter saying that they would look into it, i then called them this week and they are still looking at it. My question is how long is reasionable to look at something and can i contact someone other than the hospital?

Also my GP has tried to get copies of my medical records and they never arive at her office, can i apply to get them and pick them up myself?

Thanks
Nicole

[c38]

If you ring the Medical Records Dept. of the hospital they should be able to tell you the process. Different states have different laws. Here in Tas you fill in a request form and pay a fee and then they are made available to you within a timeframe (about 2-4 weeks I think) Here you have to read them at the hospital with someone in attendance (to answer questions in regard to type of document/forms used by hospialetc, ie not nec questions about the content) I think you are also allowed to photocopy them for a fee. But I'm not certian about that. The hospital reserves the right to withhold sections. I'm not exactly sure how that works, but I think its only Medical or Nursing notes that maybe liticious for the person who wrote them. I dont think they can withhold formal results.If you feel you have a legal case against them Im pretty sure your lawyer can request full copies of your notes. Again there are processes to be followed.

Have you put your request/complaint in writing? Most hospitals have a Complaints Officer you can address it to. Ask for clarification of their investigation, i.e. the process and outcome and the time frame. Give them a date to reply to you by. ALWAYS put your requests in writing as then they are harder to "forget".

If you are still unhappy with how the hospital is handling your complaint there should be a Hospital and Medical Complaints Board in your state and or a Medical Ombudsman you can contact.

Hope this helps and you are able to find some closure with this issue


Ops just reread and realised you have obviously put it in writing.. Try ringing the Medical records Dept and asking about your notes. Then ring he Complaints Officer and ask about timeframes, and follow up your call witha letter. If you don't receive what you feel is a satisfactory response within a week (given they have had this for some time by the sounds) Then ring the Medical Ombudsman Office in your state and ask for assistance/advice.

[Nickimumto1]

I think that my complaint is regrading the notes by nursing/medical staff. I would request things and then at the next appointment there would be no notes etc, and then it would be to late. Example at my 15week appointment i requested to have a VBAC and to see the midwifes for my appointments, my next appointment was with a doctor and he said that my notes said that i wanted a repeat c-section and as i was now 20 weeks they could not get me into the midwife managed care. This went on at every appontment. I also want to know what was writen at my 40+ appointment when i gave them a copy of my birth plan and the doctor i saw said that she would be happy to put it in the file and support it. Because when i went in to labour the birth plan was missing and i was to be monitored continuiously. Each event was nothing major but they all combined to add stress to what should have been a natural enjoyable pregnancy.

[c38]

Hmm, sounds like a system/communication stuff up. I can't see why in that case they would be withholding anything from the notes. Sounds to me like the Dr who told you you could be seen by the Midwives perhaps didn't know of the process of transferring you to that care. ie should he have filled in some kind of form, should he have adviced you to contact that service for an appt etc...
Its pretty poor that your Birth Plan was lost as well. Even if they felt it didnt fit within their policies or whatever they should have discussed it with you antenatally. Sounds like they dont have a well communicted philosophy of care or communication about things eg the Dr telling you that your Care Plan was fine, then losing it and them disregarding your requests. One person shouldnt tell you something is ok if they cant be sure that the rest of the staff etc will support it as well.
Anyhow you know all this.. OFF MY BOX

Have you clarified what it is you want from the hospital?
Eg
?An appology, either in writing or from a senior person face to face
?a face to face with someone in authority in the Antenatal Dept to discuss their process around communication
?Some sort of reassurance they are addressing the issues to prevent this happening again
? an offer of counselling

Sometimes if you can be specific about what it is you want/need it can help.


:hugs::hugs:sorry they were so disorganised. I work in the public system and its frustrating and disappointing when things like this happen.