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Childbirth

Total Newbie Question re Lindo Wing, Recommended Consultants, etc

5 replies

Ucledu · 05/09/2006 15:18

We're just recently pregnant for the first time after several years of TTC and now turning attention to hospitals and consultants. Because we're high risk, based centrally and have good health plans, we're leaning towards the Lindon Wing at St Mary's.

It was with some shock that we read on this board that, at 10 weeks, if we haven't procured our space, we might already be too late. We called a couple of the consultants fellow mumsnet members have recommended - Karl Murphy and T Teoh. According to their assistants' they are already booked up for April, and not taking any new patients.

We'd be really grateful if someone can help us understand this "game." A couple of quesitons:

  1. Can you somehow book a space at Lindo without having your consultant identified (assuming you are committed to using one who works at Lindo)? What's the best way to proceed?

  2. Do the "top" consultants act like the "top" restaurants? "Normal people" who call directly get a few tables every night if they are lucky, but most of the spots are held for people who are friends of friends or recognised names? What's the best way to become their patients?

    Thanks a lot for your insights.
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TheBlonde · 05/09/2006 15:23

Have you called the Lindo? If not, Maternity bookings/admissions +44 (0) 20 7886 6224 - they should be able to send you a list of consultants

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Ucledu · 05/09/2006 15:26

Yes, we've called and the list is on the way. However, we have already tried the ones recommnded on mumsnet and were told by their assistants that they were not taking new patients for April 2007. We're a bit nervous that by the time we sort out a consultant, Lindo might already be full up as well.

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Bink · 05/09/2006 15:33

My Lindo delivery (dd, in 2000) was done by Angus McIndoe, and I knew him because he'd seen me through the aftermath of a miscarriage & infections I had in 1998 - my gp recommended him then. I'd guess a lot of the arrangements stem from gps'/fertility consultants' personal connections with particular obstetricians - can your fertility team link you up with anyone? - if there are "ropes", I suspect that's how they operate.

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Coolmama · 05/09/2006 15:38

Hey TheBlonde, how goes things at your end? - we have to be the worst at keeping a post-natal thread going!!! lol - (sorry, hijack over!)

The Lindo wing is a consultant-led maternity unit so only acredited consultants with St Mary's can admit patients to the Lindo - they do work on a first-come first-serve basis - and unfortunately 10 weeks is a bit late ( how bizarre does that sound?) - you could just keep trying and see what happens and also take TheBlonde's suggestion - that may help.
I was lucky enough to have MR John Smith (who unfortunately is no longer delivering babies) and I called to make my 1st appointment with him when I was 3 weeks pregnant!!! and then still was the last person he took for delivery that month - that's how insane it gets.
However, they are fantastic at the Lindo so keep trying - or try C and W - they also have a private wing.
Best Of Luck -

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TheBlonde · 05/09/2006 15:42

St Thomas' also has a private wing
Otherwise there is always St John & Liz or the Portland - they didn't seem any more pricey than private within the NHS

(Hey Coolmama - yeah the postnatal thread seems to have died, I might go and give it a bump now)

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