Birmingham Womens Hospital

I had a good experience from day 1 on ward 4 post natal. They have been supportive and explained everything really well. They have just been excellent. I came in for an induction and they were so good at explaining the risks. They told me baby was going to be big. Excellent. Cannot fault them.

All was okay here. Good. My husband was referred to the fertility here. It didn't take too long of a wait. They have been helpful.

The appointment was good. Everything has been good.

I'm a patient with Endometriosis and Adenomyosis and was referred here to the specialist team because I have severe case and I am suffering badly.

Throughout my experience here so far there has been all sorts problems accessing a joined up service and having things communicated properly.

I had an MRI in October 2022 to see the severity of my condition, but I didn't have a follow up appointment until July 2023 - by which time things had got even worse. They then suggested hormonal treatments that I'd already tried and didn't help. I was left in a worsening condition with no plan for my future.

I ended up contacting PALs and they arranged for me to have a phone consultation - even though I preferred to be seen face to face. It was decided to book me for surgery in February this year.
On the day of surgery, I was asked to sign consent for it, and found that they were asking me to sign to have a hysterectomy as part of my treatment. There had been no prior discussion about this at any point, and felt pressured into making a decision on the day. This should have been discussed in advance, so I could think through this life changing decision. As I didn't have time to think, I said no to the hysterectomy, but they proceeded with other surgery to help me. I had not even met the consultant before, and had expected it to be a different consultant operating on me, none of this was communicated properly.

As part of the surgery the fitted a type of coil, which I've since found was not appropriate for me, and it dislodged in the days following and nearly perforated my organs. I had to access a different service to get it removed.

I also ended up with a severe infection in one of my incisions, which my GP had to treat. I'd raised concerns at my pre-op about infections and if I needed an MRSA swab - but they said no, only for them to call back a month later saying they did need a swab.

Since the surgery in February which hasn't worked, I've been trying to get the situation resolved, and I had a phone call booked in March for a follow up, only to have it cancelled. I've since spoken to someone and was told I'm on the waiting list for further surgery. I've been trying to speak to the admissions team to confirm I am on the waiting list, and how long the wait might be, but I've been totally unable to speak to anyone, and no one responds to voicemails or emails left. I've phoned them 37 times, nobody ever answers I haven't even been able to get through to PALS to ask them to help me.

I'm so frustrated I can't even do something as simple as speak to someone. Throughout my experience as a patient, there seems to have been this lack of communication, and nothing is ever learnt or improved when I raise issues with them. It's heartbreaking not to get the care I need and deserve.

I was referred here for kidney infection. The care and treatment provided was excellent.

I was sent for a mammogram. The appointment came through within weeks and they were so so kind and helped me. They explained things very well and were kind to an old lady like me.

I was seen by a wonderful consultant who explained everything very well and changed my medication.

I had a C-Section when having my first child. My waters broke but I was told to wait for 72 hours. I refused to leave as my friend lost a baby after being told to go home. Once the doctor saw that the heartbeat had dropped all of the staff came rushing in panicking.

Excellent support provided from start to end. After giving birth I had to wait for a few hours for a bed.

I had my emergency C-Section over there. The staff provided excellent care and treatment.