Watford Hospital

[Browbeaten]

I am wondering if any other posters have had experience(s) of this hospital with regards to their maternity unit. My SIL had her 12 week scan there on Friday and was told her baby had died. She and my brother were absolutely devastated. They were told she had to return the next day for a d&c which they did. When they arrived no-one knew anything about her appointment. However, they were admitted and waited all day and then were sent away that evening and told to return again this morning. Apparently yesterday she hadn't eaten anything and asked if she could have a cup of tea and a slice of toast. Someone returned with a plate of brussel spouts and no tea!! She is now thinking if she gets to full term she doesn't want to go to that hospital to give birth. Can anyone give her any reassurances? She lives in St. Albans but that is her nearest maternity hospital.

God how dreadful. Really sorry for your sister. I know some mums who live near there who went to Luton & Dunstable Hospital ? is that an option for your sister if everything does go OK in the end?

How awful.

A friend of mine had her first at Watford and lived in Hillingdon. Interestingly she was still living there when she had her second, but in a different hospital (don't remember which).

Evansmum, initially they had mentioned Hemel Hempstead to me and that St.Albans only had a small unit where scans, etc were carried out. However, when they went to the St.Albans Unit for an earlier scan (she bled at about 6 weeks) they were told to go to Watford because funds had been withdrawn and no scanning was available there? It is all a bit uncertain really but I thought if I could alay (sp?) her fears and tell her that her experience was a one-off it may help her a little.

The whole thing sounds appalling. Not sure from your original post whether your sister knows yet if the baby is OK after all or not? Outrageous. All I know from friends near St Albans is that one hospital (Hemel?) has closed its maternity dept. so now people have to choose beween Luton & Dunstable trust and Watford. My friend had better care at L&D 10 months ago than with her previous delivery so may be worth checking it out. Could also try 2 websites, Birthchoice UK and Dr Foster (sorry don't have links) where you can find info about local maternity depts. Really hope everything works out.

Evansmum, thanks for the info. I didn't put it properly but when I said full term I should of said with any subsequent pregnancies. I will certainly tell her to look at the websites for maternity depts as you suggest.

what about the QE2 in Welwyn garden city. They were very good when I miscarriaged.

I had Lottie there but in the active birth centre there, not the main maternity wards. I have to say that I thought it was great. Also Lottie was born with Downs syndrome and the care I received from the midwives and nurses was wonderful and I owe a lot to the fantastic women who came in and sat on the edge of my bed and held my hand and chatted to us both.

I'm so sorry you sister had to go through something like that and then didn't receive any support, that's just so awful.

i was going to suggest the QE" as well. i think thats closer that watford.

Oh many thanks for your replies - I will tell her definitely to look at the QE and the active birthing centre.

I gave birth at Hemel three years ago, but as others have said I believe they have now closed the maternity department.

I spent a week in Watford just under a year ago when I broke my leg, and a few days in the summer when my daughter was in and I stayed with her. On both occasions I thought the staff were excellent. Sorry I have no experience of the maternity dept but I just hope that your friend's experience was a one-off since I have found the care in the departments I have used very good indeed.