Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital Cramlington

[Babyboop]

Hi has anyone had a baby at
Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington. If so what was your experience? The midwives at Hexham rave about it but I’ve seen a few reviews about it that have put me off. Please can anyone help.

Can’t rate it highly enough, I had an epidural in within half an hour of getting there after requesting it and everyone has their own private room. Midwives were really thorough and reassuring, felt like they really knew what they were doing. I was concerned too before going but now wouldn’t like to go anywhere else with future children

Following with interest as I'm due to give birth there in May!

NSECH was bloody brilliant when I had my second last October. We'd only moved up here in Feb so I didn't have a clue what any of the maternity services were like. Discovered they were all amazing. MLU birth was kiboshed by a 29 week diagnosis of gestational diabetes.
So I was induced at NSECH. I had my own room the entire time with ensuite and they brought in a folding bed for my husband. This alone knocked spots off my terrible ward experiences in Bedfordshire. Food was decent enough and kept well supplied with tea 😀
Most importantly, obviously, the care was brilliant. They were, by their own admission, short staffed and extremely busy but every single member of staff I had contact with made me feel important, supported and cared for.
I know they have had some recent negative reviews, related to staffing and busyness, but if you go on their Facebook page there's also plenty of positive ones. Honestly I personally can't recommend them highly enough.

@hnk123 phew thank you. We’ve been for a couple of scans there and they were all lovely but the Google reviews put me right off. Thinking about it though they were more A&E reviews and they often get a bad review due to waiting times.

@IJustPeedInTheMaintenanceBay Thank you. I’ve just spent ages looking at their Facebook page. Totally chilled me out now. It’s my first baby & we aren’t local to NSECH. We chose to go to Hexham because our local hospitals wouldn’t allow my husband in for scans because he’s exempt from wearing a mask (actually illegal) but I’m quite glad because our hospital isn’t great. We’re moving over there tomorrow to stay in a cottage until the baby arrives. We have to use NSECH because we’re classed as high risk. Thank you for your reply x

@Wifflywafflywoo looks like we’ve made a good decision. The Facebook page is really reassuring if you read the reviews as @IJustPeedInTheMaintenanceBay suggested. The Google reviews are mostly A&E related but the Facebook page is specifically for the birthing centre. I only have two weeks left. If I’m not a sleep deprived wreck I’ll come back to this post and update. If not please feel free to comment and hopefully that will remind me.

@Babyboop I'm really glad I could help! Hope all goes well in 2 weeks ❤

I gave birth here in 2020 and planning to give birth to my second here later this year.

We ended up staying in hospital a couple of weeks as my son was premature but honestly I loved my time in hospital (strange I know). The staff were amazing and I can't speak highly enough about the care we received and I have friends who say exactly the same. I would never want to give birth anywhere else! X

So our little man arrived 11 days early and I cannot explain how thorough, professional and heartwarmingly kind the Birthing centre staff are at Cramlington hospital. I cannot recommend them enough.

Congratulations!! Glad to hear your son arrived safely and it was a positive experience. Enjoy the newborn bubble 😊 xx

Superb experience giving birth during the pandemic here.

I had a mixed experience with them (midwife error meant I needed emergency intervention) but would definitely go back if I have another.
The facilities are so much better than most other hospitals in our region, with single rooms being the standard in the majority of cases and all the staff were so lovely and beyond helpful (except that one midwife). If you do end up needing an intervention it was so quick, professional and the surgical staff were absolutely incredible.

Oh, just saw your LO has arrived @babyboop Congratulations!

Has anyone experienced a little bump on the white of your baby’s eye. I spotted this today & I’m super worried.

I'm so pleased all went well for you!

I had a horrific experience there and you genuinely couldn't pay me enough money in the world to step foot in that hospital again. I'm pregnant again now and RVI for me this time.