RUH in Bath anyone been?

[figgygal]

Hi

I live between Bristol and Bath and i think i can either go to Southmead in Bristol or the RUH.

I have been to Southmead visiting and thought it was pretty flaming grotty to be honest with you and would like to avoid it if possible but not really hear much feedback on Bath has anyone got any knowledge they can share?

Thanks

Went to RUH as antenatal due to prem labour, all stopped in 3 days, twice,once at 32 weeks & again at 33 weeks (Gave birth in MLU nearer home in the end at 38+2). Found it to be dirty and midwives under extreme pressure, not particularly attentive. All this said it was 12 yrs ago now so things may have changed, they don't seem to get a good press though, especially regarding infection control. A friend just had her 5th and had the choice of Bath or Salisbury, she chose Salisbury.

Good Luck HTH

I thought it was pretty grotty looking. Care was great with dd1 in 2005 but rubbish with dd2 in 2006. I am also between Bristol and Bath and chose the RUH as it is way easier to get to in rush hour than anywhere in Bristol. Of course both labours started in the early hours so turned out not to be a problem! I have heard very positive stuff about St Michael's in Bristol. Is that an option?

I gave birth to my first child in RUH 2005, could not fault the care on delivery but thought the mw's under too much pressure on the postnatal ward to spend much time with me. Gave birth to my second at home, and have opted to have my third back in the RUH, even though I could have a home birth. I have just had to spend two weeks on the postnatal ward at the RUH due to having an appendectomy (nightmare situation) and the staff on the ward got me through the whole hideous experience, and I feel they saved me and my baby's life. The standards seem to have improved in terms of cleanliness since I was there in 2005, and I am more than happy to give birth there.

Southmead has the bigger NICU particularly for premmies/low BW babies etc, but is currenlty a building site. St Michaels is "attached to" BCH if paeds surg type input needed, but nowhere and I mean nowhere to park.

If you're not likely to need those things then RUH is grand. The parking's not ideal but lots of side roads that are ok to leave car in and close enough (and you could be dropped off anyway) The commute can be a pain though but depends where exactly you are - Saltford is the main bottleneck from Bristol.

COI: I know people who've used each of these units, and I've worked in all of these hospitals in the last 2.5 years (not in O&G or paeds though to be fair).

I had DS at the RUH - they were excellent during the birth but postnatal care was awful. Many women I met there were asking to transfer to local hospitals for better after care! I had DD in Southmead which was good because she had major problems after birth and their NICU is one of the best in the country. I would probably choose Southmead out of the two.

I had both my two at southmead and tho I agree looks not much from the outside, they were great and the midwives excellent. I know about 5 other women who had babies there and agree. They get a lot of women from out of area wanting to give birth there and have had to restrict who they allow. But parking is bad! Easier to get to than ruh as it is just off the motorway: big consideration when you're in labour!