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Original poster

Why don't hospitals have childcare for patients?

112 replies

Gingernuttie · 07/02/2023 19:56

Obviously it would be expensive, but surely better than not having it? I can imagine all sorts of scenarios where it would be vital.

I'm looking at going to my 12 week scan alone, and as I've had hardly any symptoms this pregnancy compared to previous I'm worried it might be an MMC, so would prefer DH to be there. But DH will have to take the day off work to look after DC. DC can't come into scan with us. The hospital is over two hours drive, so a round trip of about six hours (they are always running late IME) which is far too much childcare to ask of a friend etc. My MIL does do regular childcare and could normally help but she's sprained her ankle badly and can't at the moment. There's no ad hoc childcare available locally to where we live. I'm lucky that DH actually exists and can take the day off, otherwise I just wouldn't be getting a scan at all!

Just one example, but in my situation I'd be prepared to pay quite a lot for one off childcare for hospital appointments. Ditto if I went into labour early and hadn't sorted anyone to look after DC. Or if there was an accident. Etc etc.

I'm sure there's a good reason nobody thinks it's worth running this service, but what is it? Curious!

OP posts:
JamMakingWannaBe · 07/02/2023 19:59

I think it depends on the age of the minded child as they would need appropriate staff ratios etc
For older ones, I can't see why not. IKEA offers a 2hr creche for parents to browse the store.

KirstenBlest · 07/02/2023 19:59

You could set up a company to supply the childcare, if you wished.

AnotherAppleThief · 07/02/2023 19:59

It is far far more expensive to provide childcare than you imagine, even more so when it's ad hoc with ratios to keep and no guarantee of bookings/income.

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Families
Xrays · 07/02/2023 20:00

If someone genuinely has no one to care for their children in a truly emergency situation or where they need surgery social services will arrange emergency foster care. I have experience and knowledge of this. There is no way the NHS could somehow stretch to providing some sort of childcare for general purposes…

Flaunch · 07/02/2023 20:01

They barely have medical care for patients - childcare is pushing it.

user1471453601 · 07/02/2023 20:01

Yes, because as we all know, the NHS is just swimming in money

Boneweary · 07/02/2023 20:01

It is pretty tricky. Luckily, so far all my scans have been on days I’m in work, so have been able to get the time off while DS is in nursery. I’d really struggle otherwise.

ChildminderMum · 07/02/2023 20:02

They're barely providing nursing care for patients at the moment.

Orangeis · 07/02/2023 20:03

Those that do have nurseries on site are full of the children of staff, with a huge waiting list. They can't accommodate ad hoc children.

Original poster
Gingernuttie · 07/02/2023 20:03

No no I've obviously phrased this badly, I'm not expecting the NHS to provide!
I was thinking of a private company operating from a room attached to or near to the hospital. I'd be prepared to pay up to about £80 for an hour. Would that not be enough to make it work?

OP posts:
SpinningFloppa · 07/02/2023 20:03

My kids came to my scans

JaniceBingALing · 07/02/2023 20:04

Not everyone has £80 an hour to spunk on that with little notice - maybe pitch it to the private hospitals Wine

bloodywhitecat · 07/02/2023 20:04

I can remember when Addenbrookes did have a creche, it was never well used I seem to recall. I used to drop one of the kids there while their sibling had an appointment, it was free and a godsend at times.

ChildminderMum · 07/02/2023 20:04

Have you tried apps like Bubble and Sitters? Or calling round local childminders to see if anyone could do an ad hoc?

MoomiMama · 07/02/2023 20:04

Why not just pay for a one off nanny/babysitter in your own home? Plenty of companies and sites that offer this, eg sitters.

Newwardrobe · 07/02/2023 20:06

I'm sure there are agencies that provide emergency childcare.

ChildminderMum · 07/02/2023 20:06

Gingernuttie · 07/02/2023 20:03

No no I've obviously phrased this badly, I'm not expecting the NHS to provide!
I was thinking of a private company operating from a room attached to or near to the hospital. I'd be prepared to pay up to about £80 for an hour. Would that not be enough to make it work?

People with money to spend would be more likely to book an ad-hoc nanny from Bubble to look after the child either at home or nearby.

Skyeheather · 07/02/2023 20:07

For your 12 week scan, if money isn't a problem, can't you book a private scan with your DH (a private place would probably allow DC to be in the room) then you can go to your NHS one alone, happy that you have a healthy baby.

Highfivemum · 07/02/2023 20:08

I took my Dc in with me. I do agree it can be a pain but when pregnant I always had my “bag” ready from day one and in it was stuff to keep the DC amused. It worked a treat.

OverProtectiveMumOfPFB · 07/02/2023 20:08

I took my DC to scans 🤷‍♀️

What are they going to do if you turn up in labour with your child in tow? They're hardly going to turn you away are they? This actually happened at the hospital I gave birth in - the previous week a woman had turned up with 4 year old and her husband. Midwives put the DC in a side room (office?) and the dad kept running between the two rooms. They commended me on having organised childcare even though I had no family around!

Xrays · 07/02/2023 20:09

I’m surprised people are saying they took their dc with them. At Norwich now they specifically say no children allowed in scans at all. (Basically incase there’s bad news).

Grumpybutfunny · 07/02/2023 20:10

Hospital nurseries would be great for staff and then could possibly do ad hoc like this

Boneweary · 07/02/2023 20:10

No children allowed at ours either @Xrays

I’ve no idea what some mothers do

AnotherAppleThief · 07/02/2023 20:11

Gingernuttie · 07/02/2023 20:03

No no I've obviously phrased this badly, I'm not expecting the NHS to provide!
I was thinking of a private company operating from a room attached to or near to the hospital. I'd be prepared to pay up to about £80 for an hour. Would that not be enough to make it work?

Well you might be but most people cannot, therefore making the business collapse.

PatChaunceysFruitCake · 07/02/2023 20:13

Hospitals did use to have childcare... at least the one my mum was treated for cancer in the 80's did.

My sister and I used to enjoy going to the 'playroom' as it was called. No idea if my mum paid for it or it was staffed by volunteers but I remember really enjoying making playdoh there.

I suspect it was far easier to set something like that up in the 1980's.