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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:
Willdenytothedeath · 07/02/2023 20:14

If I'm honest, I'm more confused as to why your local hospital is a 2 hour drive away.

Original poster
Gingernuttie · 07/02/2023 20:14

Our hospital does not allow kids at scans. There are private scans in the same hospital, but same rules re kids as far as I know. I live in the NW Highlands. There aren't even any childminders around me, let alone services that do ad hoc childcare/babysitting. It's very very rural. Like 100 miles to Tesco type rural.

Of course I don't "have spare £80 per day to spunk up the wall" as pp charmingly put it, but I would choose to spend that as a one off in order to have my DH with me at a potentially devastating appointment.

It obviously isn't a service that anyone else thinks would be useful, so that's a clear answer as to why it doesn't exist I suppose! 😆

OP posts:
Anothernameanother · 07/02/2023 20:18

You've answered your own question there.

Why does it not exist?
For the same reason that you can't get a childminder, nanny etc.

Noone wants to do childcare for peanuts when there are better options for work.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
Overthebow · 07/02/2023 20:19

I think you might be in the minority that lives 2 hours away from the hospital, no ad hoc childcare available at all, no family or friends to take the DC in an emergency. I just don’t think there would be enough demand for it. Most of us would drop DC at family or friends, or if that wasn’t an option get a sitter for the DC. My hospital is a 15 min drive away.

Sugargliderwombat · 07/02/2023 20:20

This is such a good idea, I've no idea why they don't offer it, I suppose it would be very hard to insure.

Nyancat · 07/02/2023 20:23

It's a while ago now but the hospital I had my dc2 in had a creche in maternity outpatients that you used to be able to drop them into while waiting for appts. It was a lifesaver because I was monitored weekly from 20 weeks and just didn't have anyone to look after dc1 because dh couldn't take time off every week to be there.

Newnamenewme23 · 07/02/2023 20:23

Willdenytothedeath · 07/02/2023 20:14

If I'm honest, I'm more confused as to why your local hospital is a 2 hour drive away.

This!

what will you do for actual delivery? Two hours drive in labour will not be fun. plus bringing a newborn home in a car seat for 2 hours surely can’t be advisable?

find a closer hospital so it doesn’t take an entire day for a 20 min scan?

Willdenytothedeath · 07/02/2023 20:23

I'd been looking on a map (bored waiting for child to sleep) and came to the conclusion you were in the Scottish Highlands, as nowhere else is that far away from hospitals!

Honestly, is your live in a place that's isolated from most services, then I think that your network of support from friends should/needs to reflect that. I'm hoping (imagining) there's a good sense of community, as there's have to be, and most women the will end up with similar needs at some stage. Given where you live, sling a friend to babysit for 6 hours didn't seem like a big deal. Maybe you can bring them back some shopping or something!

MelchiorsMistress · 07/02/2023 20:25

www.sitters.co.uk/

dalmatianmad · 07/02/2023 20:27

Sorry you struggle for childcare. We barely have the most basic equipment on most shifts to care for our patients so I can't imagine Hospitals will provide a creche type service. However when ithe NHS is privatised it could be possible?

POTC · 07/02/2023 20:29

Grumpybutfunny · 07/02/2023 20:10

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

As another poster said, they do exist but are already oversubscribed with waiting lists just for children of staff.

NoDairyNoProblem · 07/02/2023 20:30

Sadly as a business model ( even a not for profit) hospital based childcare would be unsustainable - book 1hr, appointment overruns but your slots up and the next persons arrived and can’t put their child into the facility because the ratios are off.

@Gingernuttie if I was your friend I would find a way to help you with childcare, have you asked?
Alternatively could your Mil come a drive with you and amuse your DS in the car/pushchair to allow your DH to attend with you?

arethereanyleftatall · 07/02/2023 20:31

I think the problem would arise because of the disparity between those who could afford it, and those who could not. There would be uproar if for example a rich child was cared for in an emergency, but a poor child was not. So, they'd have to make it free for those who couldn't afford it. Huge cost.

SweetSakura · 07/02/2023 20:31

I just booked an extra slot at their normal nursery for this kind of thing - with familiar staff who knew them well

Original poster
Gingernuttie · 07/02/2023 20:31

Yeah maybe I am just unlucky then. I do have friends, but all of them work during the day. I have one friend who doesn't, but she has a newborn and two toddlers. I think a whole day of my toddler as well might break her. It's too big an ask. Between me and DH we have more than ten family members nearby, but for various reasons (health and jobs) none of them can currently help with a whole day of childcare. That's life and I accept it!

I just had an 'I wish' moment, and wondered why it didn't exist, that's all.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gingernuttie · 07/02/2023 20:34

And for the person who asked, yes, most women do the two hour drive whilst in active labour. It's hideous. There are a lot of drawbacks to living here, but it's where we're from so we are used to it.
If it's your second baby and you're low risk there's an MLU which is just under half the distance, or you can have a home birth if midwives are available. But the MLU does not do scans.

OP posts:
Newnamenewme23 · 07/02/2023 20:35

Gingernuttie · 07/02/2023 20:31

Yeah maybe I am just unlucky then. I do have friends, but all of them work during the day. I have one friend who doesn't, but she has a newborn and two toddlers. I think a whole day of my toddler as well might break her. It's too big an ask. Between me and DH we have more than ten family members nearby, but for various reasons (health and jobs) none of them can currently help with a whole day of childcare. That's life and I accept it!

I just had an 'I wish' moment, and wondered why it didn't exist, that's all.

Again, where do you live that your nearest hospital is 2 hours drive?

Boneweary · 07/02/2023 20:35

She answered ages ago Hmm

Viviennemary · 07/02/2023 20:36

Patients cant even get a bed in a hospital. Childcare is pie in the sky.

Newnamenewme23 · 07/02/2023 20:36

Ah see it now, I read that post as well!

ChildminderMum · 07/02/2023 20:37

Is the hospital in a bigger town or city? Could you find a babysitter there who could look after your child in the waiting room or take them for a walk in the buggy?

SauMore · 07/02/2023 20:40

Hospitals provide medical care. It is your responsibility to arrange care for your child. That is not a medical requirement.

DuploMum · 07/02/2023 20:41

2 hour drive from the hospital! That is a trek!

(Not helpful at all just an observation 😅)

DappledThings · 07/02/2023 20:41

It obviously isn't a service that anyone else thinks would be useful, so that's a clear answer as to why it doesn't exist I suppose!
But how would it work? You have a room dedicated to childcare with say 5 fully trained and DBS checked staff just on standby in case someone needs them? They'd have to charge £100s an hour to make ends meet as there would be no regular booking.

gogohmm · 07/02/2023 20:42

I would ask around your community, isolated communities tend to have informal networks for these sorts of things, or, I'm guessing you have to go to Inverness, why not try nurseries /child minders in that area

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