Kingston hospital - good or bad?

[PixieCake]

What is the general consensus about Kingston hospital please? Please share good or bad stories, both of the NHS wards and the private bit.
I'm booked in there, but they refused to give me a tour 'for health and safety reasons'.

Thank you

They are really busy and haven't given tours in a long while but tbh it made no difference to me. I had a fantastic experience there. The midwives were brilliant (although they did try to send me home when they shouldn't and did the same to a friend who ended up having the baby at home!). By far the best hosipital in the area and IMO you're lucky to be in there. Like all hospitals in this area post-natal care is a bit thin on the ground but does still seem to be far better than others in the area. They have a great reputation and I'm so glad to have got in for a second time.

If any Kingston midwives read this: Thank you for being so fantastic with my DD's birth.

I had my DD at kingston 2 years ago and will in all likelihood be having DC2 there in October. It is a good maternity unit (NHS, no experience of private) but it is extremely busy and bustling. I believe that the general opinion is that they are excellent for the business end of things, e.g., the actual birth, but the sheer throughput of women means the aftercare can be a bit hit and miss. For example, I had some lovely, lovely midwives helping my reluctant DD to feed and generally supporting me and my husband, but others were frankly quite ill-informed about breastfeeding and just always in a rush.
If you're not keen on the business, you could ask for an amenity (private) room. It costs, but might be worth it.

Good experience here too - having 2nd dc there in a few days time. Midwives kind and supportive, yes the aftercare can be rushed with a few slip-ups here and there but nothing major, and overall a great experience.

I'm booked in there too (currently 37 weeks pregnant). I had my youngest there 11 years ago, an induction. Despite having a mw who was a bit overly by the book (wore goggles ffs) on the whole it was a very good experience.

My consultant is Mr Pooley and to date he, and all of the ante natal care, sonographers and admin have been very helpful and supportive. Mr Pooley has, should things continue without complication supported me for a home birth. However, he was also outlined the MLU at Kingston as an alternative to a home birth and the general delivery suite as being excellent.

On reflection and with advice from my community mw I have decided to stick with the MLU instead of hb. This was because in her experience the MLU can now facilitate those that want a birth experience more akin to a hb but with hospital facilities on tap.

Though it's not possible to do a physical tour of the maternity facilities Kingston Hospital Maternity did launch a new maternity virtual tour earlier this year which is pretty informative. www.kingstonmaternity.org.uk/