Summary
Miss C said that she had attended the Early Pregnancy Clinic at Raigmore Hospital as she was considering having a medical termination of her pregnancy. She had experienced bleeding and was concerned that she was going to miscarry. She was unhappy that the consultant had told her to take the contraceptive pill, and that she had to return the following day for a medical termination of her pregnancy. Miss C continued to suffer from pain. She attended her GP, who told her not to take the contraceptive pill and that she would probably miscarry without medical intervention. Miss C did not return to the clinic but subsequently attended her GP. The GP arranged for a pregnancy test which proved to be negative. Miss C felt that it was inappropriate for the consultant to have ordered her to take the contraceptive pill.
We took independent advice from a nursing adviser. The adviser said that the medical record of Miss C's attendance at the clinic was detailed. It contained information regarding the plans for a medical termination of her pregnancy, and confirmed that Miss C was advised to seek medical advice if she should have additional bleeding or pain. The adviser felt that in such situations it would also be appropriate for a consultant to discuss family planning matters such as contraception. We did not uphold the complaint.
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View Decision Report 201504022 as a PDF (11.18 KB) Updated: March 13, 2018