Essex maternity units - Broomfield or Queens in Romford

[RS2609]

I am in my first trimester so just starting to look at options. It seems my main options would be Broomfield or Queens hospital in Romford. I’d be so grateful to hear of anyone has had a recent experience with either one?! (I’ve discounted Basildon due to the recent press about the maternity unit there!) so difficult to make a choice when you don’t know anyone personally who has used either one! Thanks so much.

@RS2609 I had my son at Queens in Romford in March this year the bad press is actually about Broomfield as it is the same trust. The echo article was very misleading and had a photo of Basildon when actually the baby in question died at Broomfield, I don’t know how to link the article so have a google. My pregnancy and birth went amazingly thanks to queens. I’m due to have my second at Queens again in May. Do you live in Brentwood? As my normal midwife appointments were at Brentwood community for Queens and the midwifery team are so lovely. I had my son on the labour ward as I needed monitoring (and an epidural) and looking back I loved my experience. I would strongly recommend Queens Hospital Maternity department to anyone. Please feel free to ask me any questions if you want to.

I had the choice of all three and I gave birth at Basildon and had an overwhelmingly positive experience in the midwife led unit.

5/8 in my NCT group gave birth at Queen’s and all had terrible experiences, without exception. They also have historic bad press about outcomes. A friend of mine is currently litigating against Broomfield due to them not monitoring the heartbeat correctly and the baby subsequently being starved of oxygen - they now have cerebral palsy.

I’ve just read the reports about Basildon which I wasn’t aware of. I completely why you would not want to go there! My experience was good, but if I was reading these reports prior to giving birth there I would be avoiding it at all costs.

Is Southend an option for you? That would have been my second choice, even though it’s further.

We live in Hutton so Southend (depending on the drive and traffic) is quite a long way for us. Really not sure where I should choose as none of them seem to be particularly good at the moment

If you go for either Queens or Basildon and for whatever reason you don’t like the care you are receiving you can always change to the other. I know a few people who have changed trust due to the level of care. Just be warned Basildon are only letting partners to the 12 week scan and Queens are only letting partners to the 20 weeks scan. Both are good hospitals in general. I honestly don’t think you have anything to worry about with either.

I’ve heard good and bad things about all the hospitals mentioned. I had both of my children at Basildon and My youngest is nearly two. I had issues with both births but that was due to positioning and would have happened anywhere. I was very happy with my care there.

I had two miscarriages and was seen at Queens and they were awful both times. For my third miscarriage I went to Basildon and the level of care was much better. I know it’s not the same but it did put me off ever giving birth at Queens. However, I have many close friends who have given birth at Queens who were really happy with their experiences.

As someone said above, you can change your hospital. If I were you, I’d probably choose your closest and change if there was an issue.

I had my two children at Broomfield. Excellent care and facilities were great. Family members have had their kids at Basildon and Queens and they both had good experiences too. I’m down the road from you OP and would choose Broomfield. X

@CrispsAndChoc @Marilla1966 @RosieGirl27 @GivenchyDahhling

Thank you all so so much for your advice and experiences. It’s helps to speak to people who have actually used the hospitals themselves. I’m sure it will all be fine wherever we choose

Lots of my friends recommend Broomfield, I'd go there next time.

I gave birth in Basildon in September and had a horrendous birth and experience resulting in me almost dying because of the mistakes of staff. Avoid, avoid, AVOID.

@RS2609 the one thing that interested me about Queens though, was that you can pay for a private room when you are post natal and post natal wards are a fresh level of hell .

Have you considered St Peter's in Maldon? Same distance to you as Broomfield. Such a lovely little hospital but low risk only.

Broomfield all I have is positives too

@RosieGirl27 I am also due to give birth at Queens in May! Should be in the birthing unit if everything goes OK but who knows

@Serz88 hopefully it all goes smoothly for you! I’m probably going to have to give birth on the labour ward again as am highly risk again.

I have had two children at Queens and will be having my third there. I can't fault them at all. I had a traumatic birth with my 1st and they saved my daughter's life with their excellent care.

@LiG123 I’ve decided on balance to go for Broomfield. Fingers crossed all goes smoothly with them!

I had my first baby in Queens and my second baby in Broomfield ! Both were planned sections and I had no issues at all with the procedures themselves. Aftercare was lacking at both places to be honest. I’m pregnant with my third and happy enough to go back to Broomfield. My other alternative is Harlow but it’s a little too far.

I had my DD at Queen’s this year and they were fantastic - ended in emergency csec as baby’s heartrate kept dropping and I had a placenta abruption but the doctors took fantastic care of me and my baby, I couldn’t fault them at all. The midwifes on the antenatal and post natal wards were also great, plus it’s a fairly new hospital so clean and modern - I hate hospitals but didn’t mind being in there (was in for a few days due to induction!)