patient rights for moving hospitals

[geranium]

Any idea whether it is possible to change nominated birth hospitals? I'm now 20 weeks and in light of further information on where a c-section would take place (different but affiliated hospital to chosen hospital) want to opt out and go elsewhere. Having had a c-section last time round I don't think I am eligible for any of the birth centres (and anyway would like to be in a hospital).

Grateful for all advice/experiences on trying to do this.

No idea but bumping the thread up the list of active conversations for you...

When I had some bad experiences with antenatal care at the hospital where I was due to give birth to ds1, my community midwife told me that I could switch to a different hospital if I wanted. In the end I stayed where I was but from what the MW said it wasn't difficult to do.

That was just over 5 years ago though so I don't know if the system has changed since then.

I rcently switched hospitals at 20 weeks, You aer entitled to try - GP has to write a letter for you. Some hospitals have catchmenty zones which you may not be in, and sometimes they say they are full. I had a midwife contact who helped. Good luck!

Yes, you can change. Just tell your GP or community midwife where you want to go.

just spoken to UCH. Pretty junior midwife I think but they sounded pretty laid back about my moving so hopefully my GP will agree and this can go forward. I'm just going to put out a query about people who have used UCH so I can just check it is the right thing to do before I commit myself so don't be surprised at my starting another thread!

I was told I could swap anytime up to 34 weeks as I didnt have any information about any of the hospitals in our area when I went to be booked in

I dont think at 20 weeks it would be any problem to swop

You don't have a RIGHT to choose a hospital unfortunately, so you need to have a little bit of luck that the place where you want to go is willing to take you. The most popular hospitals, such as Queen Charlotte and St Thomas tend to fill up very quickly, if you are not in their catchment area you have to get your GP to refer you to them when you are 8 wks pg not later as they will be full.