Switching Hospitals – Have you done this..?

[HighlandlassinLondonshire]

Hi,

Currently I'm due to give birth at University College London Hospital (UCLH) in February, it's my nearest hospital. I've met both my midwives and I'm really pleased with the service. However DH and I are moving to East Sheen (SW14) at the end of this month. And whist I'd be quite happy to stay at UCLH getting across London when baby wants to arrive might not be the best opinion not to mention the postnatal aftercare...therefore I need to change hospitals!
I mentioned this to my midwife at my 16 week check up last week, and she advise that I will now have a break in my care until 26 weeks (apart from my 20 week scan) so it was the perfect time to move.
How does one go about changing? And which hospital do women who live in the SW14 go too, Kingston or C&W? Do I just contact my GP or can I go directly to the Hospital and self refer?

Any advice would be great, also if you have given birth at Kingston please could you give me some feedback as I don't know the area or hospital. This is my first child so it's all new to me.

Thanks Highlandlass x

Hi,
I dont live in your area but I did switch mid care for different reasons. I simply contacted the maternity unit of the new hospital and told them about myself and asked if they would take me on (they actually cant say no but I was being nice :-)

They then did al the paperwork for me and it was really easy. Seamless in fact.

I guess your GP will tell you to register with a new GP and then the new GP will refer you to a local hospital. The trouble with that is it might take time. With your current care giver saying you get a break in the care until 26 weeks may not be true in the new hospital, they all have their own little ways.

Good luck! X

TicTac: that's a very good point about care and new hospitals. Will look into it further.

I'm sure it will work out fine!

i moved when i was about 16 weeks- just registered with gp straight away and then was referred tomidwife.

but i didnt 'discharge myself'/tell my previous hospital to take me off their patient list until i had had my new booking appointment with the new midwife, just in case i needed any advice or anything came up.

I changed hospitals and it was easy.I asked my midwife who said I needed to go to my GP.The GP faxed the new hospital and I was there a week later and booking in.

I switched hospitals at 34 weeks (eek) and while I did it through my old GP, I found out on the St George's website that you can actually self refer....