Hi Minnie
I haven't done exactly as you did, but I had a planned transfer from the NHS to private care at 35 weeks. It was very easy. I simply booked a delivery only package plus an extra antenatal appointment and brought my NHS notes to the first appointment.
In terms of a vbac, it's not hard to decode the consultants' websites! If you are thinking of someone in particular, you could search/start a thread on them here.
Btw, whoever told you that about the Portland was probably scaremongering or misinformed. The Portland has a NICU and SCBU for babies from 30 weeks and an HDU for adults. If you did need a transfer to an adult ICU, transfer is to the ICU at the London clinic, which is two streets away. Anyway, you can check all this out on their website. I had concerns about the ability of the Portland to deal with an emergency but when I asked my consultant about it, he said that he thought that I would get blood and assistance more quickly there than at UCLH, where he also works. I don't think I have ever seen anyone tell a poster not to go to UCLH because their emergency care might be lacking! I'm not trying to persuade you to change your mind, but it does annoy me to see these statements about the Portland trotted out as if they were facts rather than hearsay and rumours!
< dismounts from hobbyhorse >