Hospital of St john and St Elizabeth

[midwife3]

Hi, I am doing an audit about the Birth Unit at the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth and would like feedback from people about experiences/knowledge etc about the unit. Have you seen the website and what you thought of it. Feel free to be honest.
Thanks
Kirstie

Do you want feedback from people who have used the unit or just those who are thinking about it?

Both please, thanks

I had my baby there in 2002. I had the most dreadful time imaginable and cannot believe I paid them to treat me that badly.

If I had known the serious ramifications of what they did, for example not telling me after my epidural that my bladder might be numb and letting my bladder become distended to the point of not being able to pee. sending me home with urinary retention and trying to cover up the fact that it was their fault. I was in agony after the epidural wore off and asked the midwife for stronger pain relief ie morphine, i was told nobody in the uk has morphine for pain relief after caesareans and made to feel like a wimp for asking.

I cannot begin to express just how terrible the experience was and remain shocked to this day that I was treated so badly.

These are just two of the dreadful things that happened to me there.

I too am confused by the prices - having read the website under the 'prices at a glance' section it looks like all additional nights after your first night are 1220 pounds. However, if you want to come along after the birth elsewhere, a TLC package works out at 1000 pounds per night. So it seems more sensible for everyone in London to use the excellent facilities of the NHS (I'm currently booked into C & W for my 4th) for the antenatal care and delivery, then move across to J & L for postnatal care (which has always been dire at C & W for example). Have I misunderstood completely? If not, it seems unfair to charge more to families who have used your entire service than those who only go for the renowned aftercare??

Thank you so much for your feedback. I am sorry that the website with regards to prices seems vague and I have taken this back to my manager as I know that the idea was to be transparent with the prices and this is obviously not the case.

Fingermousey, I am so dreadfully sorry about the time that you had when you gave birth in 2002. I know that I cannot take away what has happened but if i can be of any help, to debrief with you or if you would like to talk to Ann Herrebout our counsellor would you please contact me. I'm at the unit lots!

Thank you

Kirstie x

Baby Becks I'm sorry that you got a surprised tone when you enquired about the unit and the prices. I am more than happy to go through the pricing structure with you and if you would are able to contact me on my work e-mail which is [email protected] I can call you back. Unfortunately a birth at John and Lizzies is around £5550-7000 under midwife care depending on when you book. Have you thought of an independent midwife to look after you. One of the girls who used to work at the Birth Unit is an independent midwife now and I can put you in contact with her for a chat if you would like. She will do all your antenatal checks at home, then will be with you in labour whether that be at home or in hospital, and then looks after you after the birth.
Let me know if you'd like to chat
Kirstie x

Hi Kirstie

I had my baby at J&L in 2008 and it was a great experience. I ended up having an emergency c section - but I felt as if the midwife and consultant care was fab. I also felt in control (even though I ended up with a c-section). Compared with the experiences of some of my friends, I felt extremely lucky.

A couple of small comments - it felt as if there were too many midwives who were locum dedicated to the post natal bit? The absence of a SCBU worries many people, and I know I was a bit concerned about what would happen in the event of an emergency with my baby.

That said, I would definitely use J&L again and would recommend it to anyone who wants a positive birth experience. Definitely worth the money!

Hope this helps