Queen Charlotte's - private consultants

[Lavitabellissima]

Has anyone given birth privately at Queen Charlotte's?

I have Bupa healthcare which covers the majority of costs but don't know which consultant to choose, does anyone have any experience?

I am 30 weeks on Monday so need to get in gear!

Many thanks

Kumar is great - did my high risk twin birth. I had to have a caesarean and was left with a tiny scar which isn't the be-all/end-all but helps in the grand scheme of crapness that was my caesarean! Prof Fisk is also very good but I'm not sure if he's there any more. There's also a nice chap called Wumerasundera (sp? Some such long name of multiple consonants) who has a lovely, friendly bedside manner.

The private ward (Sir Stanley Clayton) is pretty good too - very clean (sheets changed every day, room immaculately clean, fridge, tv, separate food catering with menu choice that wasn't bad, etc., etc.). The midwives were also excellent although I struggled with breastfeeding support (babies premature so it wasn't easy in the first place and I needed lots of one-to-one, long winded help with latch and hold for every feed which wasn't really forthcoming). That was my only gripe. They looked after me well though - took the babies to the nursery in the night when I was struggling with exhaustion and the aftermath of complications from the birth. Actually the nursery was pretty good - set up with rocker chairs and breast pumps and wipes, etc. so you could go there and feed your babies and it felt a bit more like real life (rather than being confined to your room the whole time).

Hope this helps and feel free to ask more questions.

I thought Tariq Miskry was the man of the moment?
What's the Bupa limit on consultant's fees? AXA PPP, who utterly suck, reckon £600 is reasonable, but actually that's total nonsense. Mr. Miskry's secretary said £3k ish to me.

I was under Tarik but at the Lindo wing. I had an Emcs and PPP paid 90% of all costs, section bit was £1800 and they paid all of it. I only had to lay my ante natal care which was just over 2k. This was 6.5 years ago though, maybe it's changed a bit since then?

Thanks Ladies,

Yes bupa are a bit rubbish, I think even with cover it will still cost me about £1600 so not too bad. I have been told I need to pay anethetists (sp?) fee's, paedeatricians (sp?) fees and they will only pay £548 for the consultant.

I am having identical twins and have met Mr Wumerasundera once when I was having an NHS scan at the fetal medicine centre so I think I'd like to go with him. He was really nice, and I think I'd feel a bit happier than doing it the NHS route at West Middlesex where I am scheduled at the moment.

Tarik Miskry is at St Mary's (Lindo Wing) not Queen Charlotte's.

I can't help with the financial details but I'd suggest you get some greater clarity on the costs involved as they may well be more than £1600. If you're having a caesarean (and most identical twins are delivered that way - you'd have to lobby hard for an alternative) then you'll have to pay his fees for that and they may be well over the £500 BUPA threshold. Plus, anaethetist fees are usually £500 plus - more if you need top ups, obviously. Paediatrician fees can also rack up as obviously you've got two babies - might be worth asking how they'd break down these figures.

I only suggest this as the final bill can add up very sneakily and you could get a bigger figure than you're expecting. If you speak to the private patients team at Queen Charlotte's (020 3313 3925) they will be able to talk you through all the (hidden) costs and send you a breakdown so you know exactly how much excess you'll be liable to pay.

Hope this helps.

Kitstwins, sorry to correct you but Mr Miskry defo works out of Queen Charlottes and may well operate elsewhere.

I didn't find a single consultant in the UK who will do a section for under £3k all in. And you pay theatre fees, anaethetist and paeds on top.

Thanks again ladies,

I was told at my 10 week scan it would definitely be a c section. I spoke to the private patients team yesterday just before I posted and that's where I got the figures from, everything else is covered.

I am going to call them again now for final clarification and get the Bupa ball rolling.

Would highly recommend Mr McCarthy at the QC. I saw him privately for my whole pregnancy (which was high risk) and he delivered my little boy by emergency c-section at 33 weeks. Wonderful doctor, very professional and caring.

I would agree with everything kitstwins said about Stanley Clayton Ward, very clean, nice and quiet, great staff, but I also struggled with breast feeding help when my little boy was in SCUBU. It would probably be completely different with a baby born full term though.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy

Thanks helenlouisey, I am going to see Dr Wimalasundera and fingers crossed I've got the ball rolling in time!