Portland / Kensington Wing C&W or Coombe Wing Kingston?

[LadyOrangutan]

I was wondering if there was anyone that could share their experiences of the Kensington Wing at C&W.
I had DS1 & DS2 at the Portland and was very happy with the care there including the care DS1 was given in NICU but we have now moved a little further out of London and I worry that we might not make it all the way into the centre of London if another child arrives as quickly as DS2. It was only two hours from my waters breaking (with no warning or contractions beforehand) to DS2 being born by EMCS. I made it to the hospital in 35 minutes but only because it was late at night and there was very little traffic.
So I'm looking at C&W or Kingston as they are closer to me.
Can anyone please share their experiences?

[LadyOrangutan]

Anyone?

[AuntieStella]

What are the respective journey times?

Because I think that needs to be your main concern here. Roads round C&W on a match day are serioisly congested - are you due in the football season?

[LadyOrangutan]

Oh that's a very good point, thank you.
Not due yet, just (over) planning in advance. About 20 mins to Kingston, 35 mins to C&W

One of the things I liked best about going into town (Portland) for appointments was that I just hopped on the train/tube so no matter what the traffic was like, I knew how long it would take. (for regular appointments). Public transport is only really buses to get to c&w or Kingston.

Maybe I should add guys & Tommy's at Waterloo to the mix for that reason.

[scaevola]

There really isn't that much difference between the standards of the major London private hospitals (though do check what NICU they have, though I hope you don't need it again).

Personally, I'd always prefer the private wing of an NHS hospital (for ease of transfer if the unexpected actually happens).

So definitely worth looking in to the travel time to Thomas (I don't think they do deliveries at Guys any more. Thomas was all rebuilt in the early 00s and took all the trust's obstetrics).

[LadyOrangutan]

Oh, I didn't realise that about Thomas's. Thank you.

This is going to sound incredibly ignorant, and it is genuinely lack of knowledge... How does it work for private wings in NHS hospitals? Are they only post natal wards? Do you have your baby in the "main" hospital and move into the private ward afterwards? I'd be consultant led as I seem to have high risk pregnancies, so does that change things?
I'm a big fan of the NHS, especially after they took such good care of DS2 who got viral meningitis at 7 weeks but I don't have any experience of the maternity side of it.

[scaevola]

Info here:

www.guysandstthomasprivatehealthcare.co.uk/units/the-private-maternity-suite/

[LadyOrangutan]

Thanks!

[seriouslywhat]

I have had three on the Kensington Wing, PM me if any questions!

[Luckygirlcharlie]

About to have my second in Ken Wing. If you're consultant led you'll stay in the private wing the whole time. It's a bit of a shock when you emerge if you've spent a few days in there! If you want to use the birthing suite for the pools it's the same as the NHS bit but with private access. Suite is brand new. Personally I wouldn't worry about football matches as its only a few hours on certain days of the month and there are other ways to go. I chose it because it's the safest statistically in the uk and the private wings all seem to offer much of a muchness. You give birth in a private labour room in the private wing and then move to your actual room when baby born. Hubby can stay in your room on a pull down bed. As many visitors you want at any time of day. Nice food. Good staff. Piece of mind. I'd def recommend.

[LadyOrangutan]

Thanks Luckygirlcharlie good info to have. And seriouslywhat thanks, I'll be messaging you now.

[arelie]

I've had all my children at the K wing and I cannot recommend Roshni Patel highly enough. Although I have met many other obs on my travels there over the years! Friends who went the Coombe wing route were not as happy as it isn't private maternity in the true sense - postnatally I believe it's a general private ward (or it always was) whereas it is dedicated maternity at Ken wing. Also happy to answer any questions