Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea Hospital or Royal Surrey County Hospital for first pregnancy?

[SevenCat]

Hello all,

I've just found out I'm pregnant for the first time. I live in an area where all the hospitals have a maternity CQC rating of inadequate or requires improvement.

I've therefore decided to get care at a hospital further away. I'm not looking for advice on the benefits or disadvantages of this. I will, of course, use the local hospital if there is an unexpected emergency.

What I would like advice on is whether QC&CH or RSCH would be the better pick for a first pregnancy (antenatal to postnatal)? If it helps, I'm 35 and I've never been pregnant before (including unsuccessful pregnancies).

Thanks for your help!

QCCH has been brilliant for both my pregnancies and several complications, and I’m out of area. Hope this helps and congratulations!

I've done the Guildford one. It was all around brilliant. Yes, there was a bit of excitement on the go but as a whole it went well

QCCH was excellent for my high risk issues, last used over 5 years ago, i actually chose them over the portland

Have you considered Oxford? I know someone who lives in East Glos who delivered there. Their website says that they allow some out of area patients.

Royal Surrey is excellent but do they actually accept out of area patients?

@Wise0wl @bringslight @JanewaysBun Thank you so much ladies! Your input is very helpful!

@Gloschick Yes, I'm looking into hospitals in that area. Is it John Radcliffe Hospital?

@TinyTigress I called them to ask this and they said yes? We'll see!

Ahh that's amazing I'm glad they said yes! It sounds like you've got lots of good options. Hope you find somewhere that works for you 😊

If your baby does need neonatal care, would you be able to afford to rent accommodation near the hospital for could be 3-6 month stay? It's just something you should consider.

I wouldn't recommend Gloucestershire hospitals either.

London seems crazy far though. There are definitely closer hospitals that are better than the Glos ones. Look at Warwickshire to start.

If you want an ELCS, the JR (Oxford) won't do it, but otherwise they're an excellent hospital.

Thanks @TinyTigress. I hope so too!!

@TwigTheWonderKid Thank you for your input. We're trying to plan for all possibilities!

Thank you @0wlnoises. Good to know it's not all in my head. The info on JR Oxford regarding ELCS is super helpful!