Switching Hospitals – Have you done this..?

[HighlandlassinLondonshire]

Hi,

Currently I'm due to give birth at University College London Hospital (UCLH) in February, it's my nearest hospital. I've met both my midwives and I'm really pleased with the service. However DH and I are moving to East Sheen (SW14) at the end of this month. And whist I'd be quite happy to stay at UCLH getting across London when baby wants to arrive might not be the best opinion not to mention the postnatal aftercare...therefore I need to change hospitals!
I mentioned this to my midwife at my 16 week check up last week, and she advise that I will now have a break in my care until 26 weeks (apart from my 20 week scan) so it was the perfect time to move.
How does one go about changing? And which hospital do women who live in the SW14 go too, Kingston or C&W? Do I just contact my GP or can I go directly to the Hospital and self refer?

Any advice would be great, also if you have given birth at Kingston please could you give me some feedback as I don't know the area or hospital. This is my first child so it's all new to me.

Thanks Highlandlass x

We switched hospitals so we could be at the one where we had our fertility treatment (it feels home from home now and is actually easier to get to) and we were told by the one we were switching to to get our Dr to refer us. Our Dr hadnt done this before and was a bit reluctant but more because he didnt know the procedure rather than because he didnt approve. He needed to send a fax to the new hospital but paperwork not being our Dr's strong point it took quite a while and in the end I went to the hospital myself, got the form, filled it in for him, got him to sign it and asked the receptionist to fax it. He was very happy with this and so was I as at least that way I knew it was being done. The hospital did say that if it came to it i could always self refer.....

not sure if this helps. good luck with switching.

Haven't had experience of this but watching with interest as we are moving out of UCLH range (where I have also been pleased with the service, generally) to the SW area.

As eddy26 says you can always self-refer - I self-referred to UCLH and all was fine with that. Just keep all your notes/antenatal records and send UCLH a card to say thanks :)

Thanks eddy26, it's just a case of working out which hospital we should self-refer too...? Seems quite easy. Famous last words...! :)

Mahraih: which hospital do you think you might go with?