NHS vs Private Care at Chelsea & Westminster

[Confused2011]

I'm pregnant for the first time and currently booked under Chelsea & Westminster Hospital's NHS team. We can easily afford to pay for private care in the Kensington Wing, but I'm unable to justify why we would want to do this.

My husband pays tax at 50%, so paying £10-13,000 for antenatal and birth/c-section fees translates to £20-26,000 of his annual salary. If we don't use the £10-13,000 for private care we could use it for several luxury holidays before/after the birth, pay for a year of day school fees, upgrade our car, etc...

Although I love the idea of being pampered in a private wing with polite staff and delicious food, I would much prefer to spend a few days on an NHS ward and use the money to go on a couple of luxury holidays at a different time!

Can anyone help me to think about this decision differently?

Confused xx

bump

Just wondering if there are more recent positive and negative reviews about C&W?

I'm due next year April and it's between Tooting and Chelsea ... heard a lot of good things about Tooting but it's so complicated to get there from where I live.

Hi Confused,
I want to re-open this thread as I'm due next June (yeah, its a way off). Its a while since your original thread and I wonder if anyone has more recent comments about C&W maternity ward?
I have heard horror stories of people giving birth in corridors at C&W. I'd also kinda like some privacy during the dignity of labour, especially as its my first and I've no idea how long its going to be (my sister had an awful time). I don't relish the idea going through it in a ward full of 12 other Mums all in labour (which is what my midwife told me is the case at C&W). The private package looks incredibly expensive so equally off putting. I'm close to St Thomas' so could potentially switch to there. Or maybe the best option is to go private in inner city London if you want a basic level of care?
Thanks, Gameover (or maybe not quite as over as it once seemed)

[P.S. I can do without the snide remarks about private vs NHS but if you insist I will respond with the full force of my opinions]