Private c section - which hospital?

[BagofHolly]

Hello, I'm 16 weeks pregnant with twins, and it's likely I'll need a c section, which I'm quite happy with. Our health insurance covers c section, but not, I'm disgusted to discover, any treatment/SCBU for the twins as they were conceived following fertility treatment. I had my son on insurance at the Portland but we had a different policy then, and under the terms of this new (rubbishy) policy, I need to find somewhere where the SCBU is NHS, just in case something goes wrong.

From what I can see, St. Elizabeth and St. John has closed, The Lindo at Paddington isn't accepting patients after November and the Lansdell at St. Thomas's only has 6 beds. Queen Charlottes and Kingston are too far, so I think that leaves the Knutsford Suite at Watford, and the Lansdell if they can fit me in.

Has anyone delivered at Watford Knutsford Suite or the Lansdell lately? How much support did you get post delivery? Did they take the baby off you when you needed a sleep, and help with feeding and changing? What was your consultant like and would you recommend them?

All opinions gratefully received!

I had my ELCS at Chelsea and Westminster paid for by Axa PPP. I had to really fight my corner and refer them to the insurance ombudsman before they agreed. Obviously I don't know your individual circumstances or policy details, but my experience with Axa PPP was that they will try to bully you out of treatment you are entitled to. I was told different things by different Axa people, and it wasn't until I requested transcripts of all my calls that they realised that I wasn't going to roll over.
The experience in Chelsea and Westminster (Kensington wing) was mixed. The senior midwives were excellent, but they were only on during the day.
The nighttime ones were mostly agency and some were really worryingly poor.

I've had similar experiences with AxaPPP (not for childbirth), I really did have to make sure I knew what I was entitled to and push hard for it, and not accept being told otherwise or let them trick me into saying something that invalidated my claim (which I felt at time they were trying to do) not nice to have to do when unwell and worried about your health. :( I wasn't happy with the way they treated me at all.

Quitting my job soon so will be on DPs insurance (Cigna) instead when I get to the point of needing maternity care. Not sure if they'll be any better to deal with or willing to pay anything though, I guess it depends on the circumstances at the time...

Emmaroo, that's very interesting indeed! Why did AXA say they wouldn't cover C&W? How did you challenge them? I had a dig at them for saying that they covered medical c sections but when it came down to it the cover was crap, and they weren't providing the cover indicated in the handbook. What did the Ombudsman have to say? (if it's not possible to put the details on a public forum, is it possible to send private messages?)

Thanks so much for posting, food for thought!

Ephiny, sad to hear you had a bad experience with them too. Hope Cigna are better! We were with Aviva and they were absolutely fantastic, especially the women's health team. AXA suck.

Gosh I'm so ANGRY! I contacted AXA PPP again to confirm cover, they wrote to confirm my section would be covered but then in the letter said that there was a limit to what they would pay the consultant - £600 to perform the section! £600! I called one of the obstetricians at Watford Knutsford Suite (my chosen hospital) and his secretary said that he charges £3000 for a singleton and considerably more for twins!!!! So AXA PPP absolutely DON'T cover the cost of c section, they just make some crappy donation towards it!!

I've spoken to them again, and all they Sid is repeat like a mantra "we only pay £600 to the surgeon for doing the section. It's set in stone." I've asked for the details of ANY surgeon who would deliver twins for £600 and of course, there aren't any.

Oops, ran out of space. Emmaroos if you read this, and can give me some pointers on how to fight it, I'd be so grateful! I've spent the day in tears, with my poor husband ranting down the phone at his company, about what piss poor cover we suddenly have!

Ugh!

BagofHolly, sorry to hear you're so upset, but if it helps at all (probably won't, I know), they're all rubbish. Bupa "covered" my cs, and only paid £750 towards the consultant's fees.

Sorry to hear BUPA were crap! We were with Aviva before, and they covered everything! Consultant's fees, hospital costs, SCBU, everything.

My husband has contacted his company to point out that the new cover supplied by AXA PPP isn't a patch on what we had before and yet the premiums (and tax liability) is the same. They were unaware that the new policy has such limitations and are speaking to their broker, so we'll see what develops from that.

I'm so cross and so upset because the handbook states clearly that the costs of the section are covered and yet when you try and claim, they are actually just making a teeeny contribution - in my case less than 10% of the actual and unavoidable costs involved.

The cheeky mare I spoke to on the phone at AXA, said "Can't you just have them on the NHS?" I thought I was going to scream I was so annoyed - what does she think we've paid the sodding premiums for???

GGGGGRRRRRRRRRR!

Im afraid it is the case that British policies only cover up to a certain level for CS and yes it is like pulling teeth to get it. Im going back 6 years since I had my planned section and like you I was very frutrated and out of curiosity called loads of companies and they all said the same. I was going private anyway so the little we got was a bonus but what helped the most was that thet covered the extra nights in hospital and at £1000 per night was well worth it. The consultant at Watford sounds pricey as well, mine at the Portland charged £2000 so worth shopping around.

Axa was unbelievably difficult in approving my fees! They also quoted 600 for consultant fees but they have (to the best of my knowledge) paid the hospital, anesatologist (sp) fees on top of that too. It was haaaaaard work getting there though. Even though they knew I had to have a cs otherwise 'likely outcome was death' they maintained this wasn't a good enough reason to authorize the op initially!

bagofholly somebody at axe also said the same thing to me (tho it was a bloke) and I was astonished as you wouldn't tell someone going in for any other surgery 'well you could just do it on the NHS'. That's why you have insurance.....

Hi ,BagofHolly was curious as to which hospital you had choosen as i have been to look at the knutsford suite watford 2day, as it is a closer option than the landsdell for me.

We still haven't decided as we're still wrangling with the insurer! What did you think of Watford? The only thing that's putting me off is I hear it's the same staff from both the NHS and private bits and I'd prefer it if there were dedicated staff.

Hello
I used to work at watford general (not any more). You are right, the Knutsford Suite is often staffed by the midwives from the normal ward. They frequently have 10 or more women to look after each at one time. WHen you think those ten women change throughout the day as new ones come and some go, you can see that they will only have about half an hour in the day per lady and her baby they are looking after, if that. Most of the staff are lovely but they are often very stressed. You will still have students looking after you, occassionally a student will be the only one you see with a midwife overseeing (although most students are very good and generally i would recommend them, you might not be happy with this). Im sorry this is probably not what you want to hear. On the plus side, SCBU there are very good and I would happily have any baby of mine looked after there.

Thankyou WSMN, that's very interesting. And fabulous though I know many student midwives are, if I'm paying £400 per night plus £3000 for the actual c section, I'd like more attention than that!

We still haven't heard off anyone who has experienced the Knutsford Suite as a patient - I'd be so interested to gear what they have to say too.

I liked the knutsford suite but my husband wasnt keen on it,funnily enough whostolemyname saying staff can be very stressed was the impression i got because they said they were very busy although they werent full.The staff being same on both wards puts us off a bit to. Also they seem to be very strict on visitors and visiting times for a private ward.I know thats an absolute minor though.Its very good to hear someones view who used to work there. I think i prefer queen charlotte and am looking to book an appointment with mr kumar even though it is further for me.

Visiting times? I'm astonished! What were they?

I was quite shocked 2 as i thought one of the perks of a private room in a private ward was relaxed visiting. partner/husband 8am -9pm. But friends/relatives only 1.30-3pm and then 7pm-8.30pm. They seened very strict on this when i explained my elderly mum would only be able to come in with my husband in the day i was told they would have to keep swapping as only 1 could stay in the room.Perhaps when you are actually there as a patient they are a bit more flexible but they didnt give that impression. I agree for the costs i would expect more attention2.

Surprised to hear about visiting times too. I thought it was normal in private maternity for your husband/partner to be able to stay the night with you and the baby?

Well that's REALLY weird then as in the NHS post-natal ward the visiting hours are 9am-7pm!

So are you saying that if my parents, toddler and husband all arrived, some would have to wait outside the room?? Goodness that's ridiculous!

Yes ridiculous ! I live 30 mins away and my mum would only be able to visit me if she came with hubby, but they insisted that only 1 person was allowed in the room unless it was during the 1.30-3 , 7-8.30 visit times. Patients own children are allowed in but as you say bagofholly if your parents were there 2 they wouldnt all be allowed in room outside visit time. The knutsford charge £160 if a partner wants 2 stay over night with you. Landsdell suite let your partner stay 1night but apparently are quite good at letting them stay more. Queen charlotte allow partner 2 stay with you the whole time.

@ZakuroFujiwara Hi there! I know this thread is a bit old but I’d love to hear about your experience with Prof. Oteng-Ntim. I’m deciding between him and another OBGYN for my maternity care and delivery. I’m looking for someone who is not only an excellent all-round OBGYN but also has exceptional surgical skills in case a vaginal delivery becomes complicated or an emergency C-section is needed. I’d also really appreciate hearing about your recovery experience from a C-section. Thanks so much in advance!

Ah I love your hopeful approach! 14 years is a long time!! Think how old these babies are now!

The IVF related policy is absolutely bonkers.