“Desperate” mums-to-be say it is “impossible” to get through to an ultrasound department on the phone.

Patients at East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust (EKHUFT), which oversees The William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and QEQM in Margate, say the helpline for pregnancy scans is “constantly engaged”.

One mother says it has put her off ever having children again.

In a Facebook post by the maternity department on Tuesday, they advised “when the line does not connect or says that the number is unavailable, this is because the line is engaged”.

“Please try calling back again to connect,” the post added.

One concerned mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, revealed that she was left “bleeding for days” as no one was available to answer her call regarding a scan.

She told KentOnline: “I have had to take time off work to spend hours continually redialling to attempt to speak to the scan department.

“I’ve ended up paying for them privately, as several of my urgent scans have not been booked for a week past the required 72-hour time frame.

“The phone either cuts out or says it is temporarily unavailable.”

Furthermore, she reported that the department did not call to inform her of one appoinment, which she then missed.

She could not get another for a further week, by which time she had already booked one privately since she has a complicated pregnancy, and regular scans are vital to monitor her baby’s health.

She added that the experience has “put her off having children ever again”.

Other mums also took to the comment section to express their concerns.

One said: “It’s absolute shambles, not good enough.

‘It’s been a complete carnage...’

“Everything should be thoroughly tested before changing systems.

“There are desperate pregnant women wanting to know when their scans are.”

Another worried commenter added: “I’ve tried calling the scan department hundreds of times and it always says unavailable.”

One mum who is 19-weeks pregnant claimed: “There isn’t an answerphone, nor is there support from another department.

“My midwife requested my 20-week scan back in April and I still haven’t been called.

‘I’ve tried calling the scan department hundreds of times...’

“This further contributes to the anxieties surrounding the trust’s maternity services.”

EKHUFT has come under fire recently, specifically its maternity department after a damning report uncovered blood-stained toilets, dirty equipment on wards and a risk of babies being misidentified.

The department is also struggling with chronic staff shortages – recently exacerbated by Canterbury Christ Church University’s student midwifery course losing its accrediation.

A spokesman for the trust thanked those women waiting on the phone for their patience and reassured pregnant patients that their scans are on the booking system, and that someone would be in touch.

They stated: “I would like to reassure everyone that all scans are on our system and the booking team will be in touch with them, either by phone call or text as soon as possible.

“We have provided a dedicated phone line for anyone who wishes to contact us, particularly about delays or lack of an appointment for their scans.

“We know this line is busy at times, and would like to thank everyone for their patience.

“As always, if anyone ever has concerns about themselves or their baby at any time during their pregnancy, they should contact their midwife or our triage units immediately.”