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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Private Hospitals - London

92 replies

kaboju · 14/05/2008 12:13

Hi. I am new to mumsnet. I am 10 weeks pregnant with my first child and hope some one can share their experience of private hospitals in London. I am considering the Portland Hospital but after having a tour this week, I have heard that they have a bad reputation. Do anyone have any experience. Any other recommendations are very welcome. Really confused after hearing about the bad reputation. Any advise very much appreciate. Thanks in advance.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

orangina · 15/05/2008 15:20

I agree w Tallis, think you must find your consultant soon, they do book up quickly... I had ds at the Lindo (after having had dd at St Marys NHS) and thoroughly loved the experience... though know lots of people think the Lindo isn't nearly "smart" enough (it is a bit tired in places, but think it is getting an overhaul at the moment...). I think having a consultant on board who you feel comfortable with is paramount myself.

orangina · 15/05/2008 15:22

Would also advise you go to private wing at nhs hospital (Lindo at St Marys or Landsell at St Thomas's, also C&W and Q.Charlottes....). Feel there is better back up should you need it (plenty would disagree w me, just my opinion!)

Original poster

kaboju · 15/05/2008 15:29

Hi LadyThompson. Did you not go for a tour at Lido? Just called them to arrange but are waiting for a return call as they only do tours in the weekend. Trying to arrange for a weekday.

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CountessDracula · 15/05/2008 15:32

I so agree with Orangina

If I had been in a private hospital I would prob be dead now

DH is a medical lawyer he says he wouldn't go to a private hospital for any operation

They don't have proper staffing levels
~They only have to have an RMO (responsible medical officer) on call at night. One of our friends recently went back to doctoring after a 12 year break (had been lawyer in interim) and was instantly an RMO. They are often newly qualifieds from overseas

not what you want in a medical emergency

LadyThompson · 15/05/2008 15:37

Hi Kaboju. It's been such a saga trying to get a consultant there that I haven't really had time for the tour yet. I figure that I am not going to care (too much) what it looks like, and I am hoping (gambling!) that the nursing care is good; main thing for me was getting a decent consultant at the hospital of my choice, which is the private wing of a well thought of teaching hospital.

Original poster

kaboju · 15/05/2008 15:37

Hi Orangina. Thanks for sharing your experience. Who was your consultant.

I have started to feel that a private wing on a NHS hospital is the option after considering this a bit the last couple of days. Do prefer to have the back up.

Hi CountessDracula. Also thanks for sharing your knowledge. Which hospital did you go to? Scary story about friend going back after 12 years.

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Original poster

kaboju · 15/05/2008 15:43

LadyThompson, I completely understand where you are coming from. I wasn't aware that it is such a struggle to get a consultant this early. It was definitely not the feeling I got from Portland.

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CountessDracula · 15/05/2008 15:43

Chelsea and Westminster

~Awful in many ways
but they did save my life

Why do you want to go private out of interest?

carolcupcake · 15/05/2008 15:44

I worked in the NHS for 10 years and would not go to a private hospital, for the same reason as the others, no experienced medical cover, no ITU or HDU facilities.

Much better to go to the private wing of an NHS hospital where there are all the facilities to hand.

Or do what I did and get together with a doctor, then you will get private care for free! With my previous pregnancy they wouldn't leave us alone, we had medical staff crawling all over us. The only perk of the job, but I feel that everyone should get that level of care on the NHS. Sad really that you have to pay them with your taxes and again privately to get the care you should get.

Just my opinion though.

orangina · 15/05/2008 15:47

I was looked after by Mr Miskry at the Lindo, who was fantastic. All nurses and midwives I came across while at Lindo were lovely, had no complaints at all. Didn't do the Lindo tour at all, just signed up with Mr M, and the first time I saw a labour room was.... in labour. Clean, lovely, en suite bathroom, clean towels. Total bliss compared to nhs post natal ward (shudder).

orangina · 15/05/2008 15:47

There was another thread here withint the last few days by someone who was 16 weeks pg, who couldn't get a consultant at the Lindo.... so I would move on if I were you......

Original poster

kaboju · 15/05/2008 15:52

Yes I have heard of Chelsea & Westminster from a friend with a 1 year old baby. She never wants to go there again. Glad they saved your life.

I have a few too many bad experiences with NHS. I have got misdiagnosed (luckily nothing serious). My husband went to A&E and was told they couldn't do anything for him as it was too late in the evening BUT he was very higly recommended to see an eyespecialist asap as he had risk of loosing his sight. Went to Lister Hospital and got it sorted straight away. A good friend have had 2 bad experiences with childbirth at St. Thomas.

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LadyThompson · 15/05/2008 15:56

Yes, the thread was by someone called Irina only yesterday - she is 16 weeks and the Lindo is booked up for Oct/Nov. Glad to hear of your experience there, Orangina. Did you have your first dc on the NHS ward there? And did your dh stay with you on the Lindo?

orangina · 15/05/2008 16:07

Had 1st dc nhs, yes. Labour experience was fine (haha! in as much as a 1st labour can be fine!), and had no complaints w midwives (who was wonderful) and room at that stage. Post natal was TOTALLY GRIM. Ante natal care on nhs was so miserable as I set off on pg #2, that I jumped ship to private care (relatively late actually, I was extremely lucky to get consultant etc) for a bit of continuity and understanding really. Had a miserable time in pregnancy, found labour the 1st time round rather traumatic, and felt that needed to be addressed as I was getting myself into a real state.
Dh could stay/visit whenever he wanted (no official visiting hours) but it wasn't set up for partners to stay (no double beds like Portland or J&El)....

LadyThompson · 15/05/2008 16:11

Thanks orangina, that's interesting because on the new price list they say partner accommodation is £79 inc breakfast, but maybe that's elsewhere in the hospital.

orangina · 15/05/2008 16:23

Well, the last time I went to the Lindo for an appointment (not pg, but to see gynae), there was a lot of refurb work going on, so perhaps that's possible now (ds born 15 months ago).

Original poster

kaboju · 15/05/2008 17:48

Hi. I have now decided to go for St. Mary as you all recommend it so highly. Just called to book and are waiting for an email with details of the consultants etc.

On their web page it is mention that a new "state of art" birtcentre es due to open in april so might explain that partner accommodation.

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LadyThompson · 15/05/2008 17:56

Great, good luck with that and let me know how you get on...

Original poster

kaboju · 15/05/2008 18:08

Thanks and the same to you. I might go and have a look next week as I am planning to take a day off but I am still waiting for them to call me back. I will keep you informed.

Hope everything is going well with your pregnancy.

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LadyThompson · 15/05/2008 18:14

I'm fine - just sore boobs and ravenous all the time! And you? They're a bit lackadaisical with sending out the info - if you haven't had it by tomorrow I could email you what they sent me (which is not very detailed info: a price list, a list of consultants and phone numbers and a letter saying you have to book your consultant before you can book in at the actual hospital).

orangina · 15/05/2008 20:08

trust your instinct when you choose you consultant. If you go and meet someone and it doesn't feel right for whatever reason, don't ignore it. It's a lot of money and so important, who is going to look after you and deliver your baby. Also, imo, some are quite cs keen and others less so, so that might be worth bearing in mind.... (go armed with list of questions). Good luck, hope you get on well!

yogimum · 15/05/2008 20:25

I've just worked with a client who had her baby at St John and St Elizabeth (due to previous experience and health issues). I think her consultant was Mr. Okara. Was very happy with the outcome.

cosima · 15/05/2008 20:27

where is the portland?

camgirl · 15/05/2008 21:09

The Portland is in W1

Another vote here for the Lindo . .booked it when I was 8 weeks though. Had absolutely fantastic care, wonderful midwives and brilliant consultant! In fact I spent my first few weeks at home wishing I was back there being looked after 24/7!

Rocky12 · 16/05/2008 10:44

Had my second baby at the Portland and just visited a friend a couple of weeks ago at the Lindo Wing at St Mary's.

Whenever this subject comes up you get:

The women who wouldnt dream of using a private hospital, the NHS is fine (really??)

Women who have 'heard' stories regarding the Portland etc. All NHS hospitals are full of cases that are waiting to go to court over care, medical mistakes etc. That is just life.

The Portland was fab. You have already experienced the way they work. Why would they be any different when you were in labour?

The Lindo wing is run down and really quite shocking when you go there. There is building work everywhere. However my friend had excellent care and couldnt fault it.

Having experienced the NHS first time around (horrible, not enough staff and the place needed a good clean) I wouldnt hestitate to use the Portland.

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