A Fife councillor has raised concerns about proposed changes to maternity services after suffering his own heartbreak at the hospital.
Gavin Ellis and his wife Cheryl were expecting their first child when the pregnancy developed complications in July.
The couple, from Dunfermline, went to the Victoria Hospital, where they learned they had lost their unborn baby at 12 weeks.
Mr Ellis said they were then left sitting in a corridor surrounded by other couples and their children for 20 minutes.
The 37-year-old is now urging NHS Fife chiefs to consider the consequences of merging the gynaecology and obstetric services at the Kirkcaldy hospital and fears others could face similar experiences.
He and his wife initially went to the hospital on a Friday evening and were told no one from the early pregnancy unit could see them until after the weekend.
They returned on the Monday and were taken to the antenatal unit for a scan.
Mr Ellis said: “We found ourselves sitting in a corridor with parents who were also expecting and mothers with babies and children.
“This was a stressful situation to say the least. However, this was not the worst part – that came after the scan when it had been confirmed to us that we had lost our baby.
“We were told to take a seat back in the same corridor and someone would come to take us back upstairs shortly.
“During this time we were trying to take in the reality, all the while looking at couples beside us looking so happy, and rightfully so, that their scans had gone gone well.
“Around 20 minutes later a member of staff noted we were still sitting in the corridor and asked if anyone had been to see us.
“The member of staff was very apologetic and escorted us back up to a quiet room where we could console each other before seeing the nurse again.”
He said he and his wife understood the pressures the NHS is under and stressed the staff had been excellent throughout.
However, he added: “It would be great if we could find a scenario where people who are experiencing a loss are dealt with in a separate, more sympathetic way, rather than being left sitting in corridors with people who have just had a happy experience.”
Mr Ellis spoke after The Courier revealed earlier this month that NHS Fife is considering plans to take eight beds from the busy maternity ward to move gynaecological patients in.
Early pregnancy is also expected to move next door to the midwife-led unit, sparking concerns women suffering from early bleeding or miscarriages will be close to women giving birth.
The health board has stressed patients safety will be central to any change.
Helen Wright, NHS Fife director of nursing, said: “Although we are unable to comment on individual patients, we will be responding directly to Councillor Ellis regarding the concerns he has raised about his personal experience.
“We understand that pregnancy loss is extremely distressing and we will be looking into the concerns further.
“We are committed to making best use of our facilities and placing our patients in the right place.
“We continue to consider potential ward moves closely and would reiterate that no patient will be placed in an unsuitable environment, ensuring patient dignity, safety, and quality of care are maintained.
“Considering the most appropriate locations for service delivery as part of our wider Site Optimisation programme, allows us to look at further improvements that can be made to services.
“The ultimate aim is to enhance the experience of our patients and improve outcomes.”
