LONDON Hospitals

[Gemlove]

Hi all,

i am 7+4 today (very excited) and live in West London. Closest hospital for us is Queen Charlotte but apparently they are very busy so are likely to decline the referral from my GP. My GP asked my next choice and I was completely blank as I have no idea.

I am wondering if anyone has any experience ? St Mary's is probably the next closest but also can easily get to Chelsea & Westminster and UCLH ...? Any advice or suggestions??

Really appreciate the help

xxx

[Devora]

Well, Charlotte's would definitely be my first choice, so fight for that! If that fails, the other three are all good at labour care but not so great at postnatal care. Of the three, I would probably choose UCLH. But all three are typical central London maternity care: clinically pretty good, customer care pretty bad.

Good luck!

[Gemlove]

Thank you for the advice! I am going to try and get into Queen Charlotte's but my GP was very doubtful... otherwise yes maybe UCL is the best option.|

Thank you :-)

[shattereddreams]

You have the right to go to the hospital you want.
Insist!

[CityDweller]

I'm only 14 wks, but have so far found the antenatal care at UCLH great. They took great care over the 12-wk scan, was in there for an hour, sonographers lovely and made me feel as if what they were doing was very important to them. Midwife at my booking appointment was a bit mad, but seemed experienced and as it was I didn't really have any questions or concerns. That booking apt, was on a Saturday, btw, which I was astonished by. All my appointments have been bang on schedule and I've not had to wait around much.

All results (bloodtests, scan results) have come through by post incredibly quickly (about 2 days).

So, so far so good.

[Gemlove]

Thank you CityDweller and shattereddreams for your advice and experience...i feel better already! www.mumsnet.com/emo/te/1.gif

[Gemlove]

shattereddreams, do you have the right to any hospital even if they say they are full / too busy????

[shattereddreams]

If it's within distance of home, you should insist.
A nurse friend mentioned it last night, do I don't have technical or proof i can link to.
They will try to feed people where they want. But you have the right to choose and book. Maternity is no different.

[JoulesM]

If its within a reasonable distance I'd suggest West Middlesex. They have team based midwifery which means you really do get to know your name midwife. We are booked for HB which means we have a fab named midwife who has done the last few antenatal visits at home (and is coming home today to do a sweep). They are UNICEF baby charter reg (something like that) and the first London hosp to be so. I've had babies at Kingston and West mid and have had much better care at West Mid. Might be too far away for you though?