Can anyone recommend a hospital in Brentwood Essex area (Basildon/Chelmsford etc)

[nearlymumofone]

Hello,

I'm in very early stages of pregnancy but have recently moved to the Brentwood Essex area. I have only heard terrible things about Queens hospital Romford from friends and media, and so would like to go elsewhere. Anyone can recommend a hospital within 30-40 mins-ish of Brentwood?

I had DC1 in Kent and the hospital (Darenth Valley, Dartford) was excellent and the care I received was brilliant.

How about Broomfield in Chelmsford? My niece recently gave birth there (her DS was also readmitted several times due to breathing problems since) and I think she was happy about the care. My DD has been to A & E there recently and also happy with the care.

I would totally steer clear of Queen's. It has had a terrible reputation locally since it opened and more recently its been hitting national headlines. I'm sure you know the high profile cases of women who've died in maternity services recently, and I heard they have been forced to stop doing elective caesareans. My Dad had terrible care after a stroke there also.

i had ds1 in st johns hospital in chelmsford before it closed and they moved everything to broomfield. care was great, i only met one mw who was nasty and a horrible piece of work but as i was in hospital for 7 days with a very long induction i met an awful lot of mws so one bad one is pretty good going!

i'm having scans in broomfield but will be moving before dc2 is born so won't be able to give birth there. but the sonographers there are lovely, and also a friend of mine gave birth there last year and she said it was lovely, everyting was so new it was like staying in a hotel! (all delivery rooms have en suite for example)

There's the Hartswood Hospital in Brentwood if you're looking for a private hospital,or Basildon hospital or even King Georges in Goodmayes,who have a good reputation for their maternity services.
I had ds1 in Harold Wood which has since closed and then had ds2 at Queens and they were fantastic.
I agree they don't have a very good reputation,but I'm at Queens alot and I find them very good,plus they are my nearest hospital.I wouldn't hesitate having another child there.

I was a St Johns Chelmsford baby, didn't know it had closed! :(
Also went in there as an adult for a minor operation and was very happy with it then, too.

Don't live locally any more so I don't have any recent knowledge of Broomfield but it certainly had a good reputation back in the day.

Have you thought about Basildon at all? I had my first DC at Queens in 2009 and I'm now booked into Basildon for my second due in March.

They've got a fantastic midwife-led birthing unit with two birthing pools (unit has just been refurbished) and I've heard nothing but good things about their labour wards too.

To be honest, Queens is under such scrutiny at the moment that it seems to have got its act together and I'm hearing alot of good stories about it now (I work in the NHS) so I wouldn't rule it out.

Thanks for all your replies. I think I'll check out the journey to both Broomfield and Basildon and see if I can have a wee look round both.

Hi. Congratulations!
I had my daughter at Basildon hospital just 5 weeks ago and they were fantastic. I had one on one care as there were enough midwives available. I was given the choice of having the birthing pool if I wanted and I was able to stay overnight by choice. It was my first baby and I spent quite a few hours there. Pm me if you want any further info.