‘I might need a blood transfusion’: Pregnant woman has hospital appointment cancelled for Queen’s funeral

By Ruby Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter

An anaemic pregnant woman who was supposed to visit a London hospital for an important appointment has been left frustrated after it was cancelled because of the Queen’s funeral.

Sanisha Wynter, who is 32 weeks pregnant, was sent an automated text message from King’s College Hospital informing her the obstetrics appointment on Monday had been postponed as it is now a bank holiday.

The first-time mum suffers from low blood pressure and said she recently found out she was anaemic, which has made her increasingly worried for her and her baby’s health.

Sanisha, who has anxiety and mental health issues told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the last-minute cancellation has left her feeling scared and helpless about her situation.

She said: “It’s not like it’s a small appointment, it could really impact my health if my iron has dropped even lower and [the hospital] is not aware of it or I’m not aware of it. I might need a blood transfusion.

“It’s just really frustrating to think I might have to wait another fortnight except I don’t know for how long because this appointment has been in place for almost a month now.”

The hospital told Sanisha a new appointment would be sent to her in “due course” however, she is yet to receive a new date for this.

A text message from the health trust reads: “In light of the sad news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II and Monday 19/09/22 being announced as a Bank Holiday we unfortunately need to reschedule your Obstetrics appointment due on this date. A further appointment will be sent to you in due course.”

In response to the text message, Sanisha said: “I don’t know when ‘due course’ is. I’m anaemic, my iron levels and my blood levels are quite low so that’s quite risky when you’re pregnant.

“They were due to monitor it at that appointment to check if my iron blood levels have increased but obviously I have to wait another few weeks which is just worrying because it’s my first time as a mother.”

She is also concerned because as a Black woman, she is more at risk of suffering from pregnancy-related complications. 

A 2021 report published by Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK( MBRRACE-UK) revealed Black women are four times more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth than white women.

Five X More, a group campaigning for better treatment of Black women in maternity care, revealed in a recent survey that 54 per cent of Black women reported facing challenges with healthcare professionals during and after pregnancy.

Sanisha said: “It’s that sense of helplessness because it’s very dangerous to have a low iron [count] during pregnancy. As a black woman a lot of [us] have severe complications during our pregnancy you just think is this really necessary to cancel for the sake of a bank holiday – for a funeral.”

A King’s College Hospital spokesman said: “Most non-urgent appointments and operations planned for Monday are being re-scheduled. We will offer patients a new date as soon as possible, and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“If any patients have concerns, we would urge them to call the telephone number on their appointment letter. All urgent, emergency and time-critical services will continue as normal on Monday.”

Pictured top: Sanisha Wynter, a first-time mum, has had a crucial hospital appointment cancelled due to the Queen’s funeral being a bank holiday on Monday (Picture: Sanisha Winter)