Can I choose which hospital I give birth in? Legal position advice needed!

[allyfe]

I'm 31 weeks with my second baby. My first baby I did most of my antenatal care with my local hospital, but then transfered to Kings (where I wanted to give birth) at 36 weeks. I had a fantastic experience there and so have known since the beginning I wanted to give birth there this time.

When I asked my doctor to write the referal letter at about 14 weeks, he told me that they were no longer accepting referals except in high risk pregnancies (which I am lucky not to be). As a result, I would have to give birth at the 'local' hospital which is actually no closer (possibly further away) than Kings.

I thought that I couldn't do anything about this, but a few people have said I can choose where I give birth. The thing is, I don't want to just turn up there on the day and do it that way because it seems to be a little bit of a cheat to the system. I'd rather be registered there in advance so they are happy to see me when I arrive.

I was wondering if anyone knew what the legal position was. I have an idea that the Conservatives had 'right to choose' in their manifesto, but I'm not convinced it is law yet.

Thanks for your advice!

Alison

well, not certain on the legal position but know that I was told I could choose nay hospital I wanted. The one I chose is linked with another hospital about 20 minutes away from it and I was told if the labour ward when I go into labour is full I'll be sent to the other hospital and the one I choose will effectively refuse to accept me. I'm not quite sure if they could refuse me if I turned up seconds away from popping a baby out, but I have heard of people being turned away and sent to the other hospital when it has been full, so it must happen occasionally. I guess the choice thing is all very well theoretically but doesn't always work in practice. Does kings hospital have an NHS maternity ward website? That might answer any questions.

ah-ha try this

www.kch.nhs.uk/services/womens-services/maternity-services/

it gives a helpline you can ring to see if you can have your baby at kings.

some GPs will not refer people to their choice because the pct has told them not to because of expense etc but most hospitals have a form on their website allowing you to self refer

I requested a referral to my preferred hospital when I had my booking appt (I thought I was 8 weeks at the time, but it turns out I was 11 weeks). When it took a while for a confirmation to come through I called up to be told I may not have got in as you normally have to be referred by the time you're 7 weeks or you're unlikely to get in. I was lucky and did get in. I actually think I would have insisted on a home birth if I hadn't got in because there is no way I would give birth in either of the other 2 nearest hospitals. They're both miles away and are always in the papers with horror stories!