Views on Princess Royal Maternity services!

[praja]

Hi there,
Could you post your experiences and views regarding your delivery experience in Princess Royal Hospital,Orpington please? This is my first pregnancy and would be great to know how others have found the hospital. The website on NHS Choices gives good reviews in July 2014 and bad reviews in Dec 2014!

I had an utterly horrendous experience there in 2011. Dreaded going back there in 2013 but 2nd time around couldn't have been more different. i believe the (appalling) supervisor of midwives retired so maybe that brought a culture change. I would happily go back there basis of my 2nd birth.

They are the reason my daughter will be an only child. I discharged myself after being admitted on a Friday lunchtime, 37 wks pregnant and having been bleeding for 24 hrs. NO Doctors, after no review I discharged myself and only went back in when a doctor was ready. Lady rang the bell but not answered and gave birth in the toilet unaided....I then had to have an emergency operation due to their delay. It was dirty on the ward and I ended up leaving after three days as they kept missing my pain killers and treatments post operation. It was a shambles. That however was 10 years ago.

I realise my last post was worrying which isn't helpful especially as my experience is an old one. On the plus side the emergency care was exceptional and I lived and my child lived when at one point it was Touche and go. There are parents I know who have been in since have had a mixture of good and bad experienences, mostly like you'd have anywhere. Just don't get complications on a Friday afternoon in any hospital has been the feedback from friends - as if babies decide to turn up on cue!