North west London hospitals

[AtaleOfTwoCities]

Hi
Looking for opinions on maternity units in and around nw London. Looking for the whole package really as I'd be under obstetrician care and have a few complications myself. I think i could be high risk but i need see a midwife first. Previously I have been at the RFH. Antenatal care was great but the care during labour was not great at all. To be honest I'm still slightly traumatised by my experience. Im sure no two experiences can be the same but I do want to try somewhere different especially as my circumstances have changed. So where?
I'm not too impressed with st marys in terms of waiting times crampness their strictness with only one person being allowed in to visit. And parking!
I know in London nowhere will be perfect. I think I can choose from st marys RFH, northwick pk, ucLh and maybe queen Charlotte if I'm lucky, I think?
I'm discounting northwick pk and RFH. I think uclh is just too far. So maybe between st marys or queen Charlotte (if Im allowed to stretch that far)
Would love to hear experiences of others and maybe I've missed some!
Thanks

Hi

Speaking from my own experience I can say that I found St Mary's antenatal care very overcrowded and sub-standard. My labour experience there was also terrible due to some shocking mistakes made and my midwife couldn't even speak English!

I am now pregnant for the second time and have chosen Chelsea and Westminster (much further away but sooo much better care). You have the right to choose ANY hospital you wish, it is up to you how far away it should or shouldn't be. Some hospitals may refuse you if there is high local demand and you are not in their catchment area, but it may be worth looking around to see what you can get.

Can you choose the Whittington? This is my first pregnancy and so far, so good.

Another vote for Queen Charlottes!

With DS2 I had a hideous high risk pregnancy ending in a premmie baby in intensive care etc and the care we received at QC was beyond exceptional.

You will need to apply quickly though as it's a very popular choice.

I had DS1 at Chelsea and Westminster - a very straightforward pg and birth but the postnatal care was crap.

Thanks Betty- I was rejected by st marys last time and I'm reluctant to go there anyway as Ive been there with a friend who was labouring. I didn't find it to be great and my antenatal care at royal free was better than hers at stmarys.

Simplysoo- the Whittington is prob just a tad too far from me

Rick -I'm banking on queen Charlotte but I'm scared I'll be rejected. Im booking at 6 weeks. Still not much hope. But I do Have a condition that could possibly put me in higher risk and nearly pe at the end of last pregnancy not sure if that makes a difference but i know high risk is their speciality.

I'm another vote in favour of Queen Charlotte's. I had excellent care there.
I think it can get booked up really early, so if you opt for it get referred as soon as you can.

Where in NW London do you live? I had my DS at Northwick Park in 2008 and the birth was fine. The hospital has had so many resources that it's apparently one if the better places to give birth in that area.

Is 6weeks too Kate! Hope my gp sends it off quickly. Des anyone self refer?

Late not Kate!

Really I've heard horrific things abut northwick park. I know I'm not going be a straightforward pregnancy so I'm really trying to get somewhere that gives a a little confidence

I think care can be very hit and miss. Your best bet is to be knowledgeable and assertive, whilst obviously appearing respectful so you don't put anyone's back up. I hope that second time round one is more clued up. I had DS at the Whittington and found all the care pretty mediocre, but I truly believe that it was no worse than I could expect anywhere. Nothing exactly dangerous happened, and there was never any suggestion that there was any risk of danger. I just think things could have been handled faster so I was more comfortable and less worried, but that's the NHS for you. I was OK, DS was OK and I'm going back there to have this one (all being well).

I know, it's just sometimes when you are vulnerable, assertive can be difficult. I totally agree with what you are saying though.
I guess it's weighing up all the factors including things like distance and accessibility. Now I need to research a second choice as I have gone through the 1st choice refusal process before!

Yes, very difficult when you are vulnerable and things are changing fast. Bearing all that in mind I chose the Whittington for the same reason as last time: relative convenience, with the belief that the grass is not greener anywhere else locally.

Yes exactly. Good luck Bonzo hope all goes well

I have better antenatal care at uclh than st mary where i was looked after for my first pg, and forthis second pg, I recently changed from rfh to uclh. Uclh has very good equipment, waiting time can be a bit long for scans but they seem to be thorough, much morethan rfh or st marys.

I would say UCLH. I am there for my antenatal care and think they are excellent. Its as good as it can gets. I do some of my antnatal appointments as well at the Portland Hospital where I see my private consultant, but I must say everything so far at uclh is as good as at the Portland if not better. If you are high risk you will also be seen by an obstetrician. If I will become high risk I will also deliver at uclh and will choose it over the Portland. There are great doctors. Antenatally there is Dr. Pandya ( foetal specialist) and for delivery there is for example Pat O Brian etc. You can self- refer.

I agree with hpbp. Equipment is very good.

Does anyone know at what stage you get to visit hospitals? Can you visit as many as you like? And apart from the Directgov link to hospitals/asking people for their opinions as per this thread is there any other way of making this decison? I don't know anyone in my area who's been to any of these hospitals, so I feel like I'm making quite an important decision with a blindfold on. Mind, you, I suppose a lot rests on the team on the day.... It's a funny business this pregnancy lark!

Don't go to Northwick Park (no offence to those who are/have) I recommend Queen Charlotte's but if your in the Northwick Park area, Ealing's Maternity ward is amazing.

were you asking maternity or antenatal? I can't remember, I am too lazy busy to scroll all the way up there ^^ to look

That's sounds odd now I've said it, ignore me. Just meant that I have 2 friends that had their dc at Northwick Park and both went quite wrong (drs fault) and one was put back together really badly

I started off at St Mary's and the ante natal care was so horrendous that I transferred to Royal Free at 38 weeks. They were MARVELLOUS, helpful, kind for the 4 weeks' of ante natal (which involved a fair few visits because of late baby). Went into labour at their check in desk and was at 10cm within 40 minutes whereupon baby got firmly stuck. Had EMCS from a very lovely surgeon, with friendly and helpful midwife. Got a private room from them. Only minor gripe was the grumpy nurses.

I'm interested in both maternity and antenatal - not a clue either way. See, have had experience of gynae ward at Royal Free about eight years ago and medical care was superb, but the ward was filthy (and nurses grumpy). Am torn between Queen Charlotte's and UCH. Queen Charlotte's is more convenient in terms of being closer - and parking.

UCH does have a great maternity ward tbf, but like you say, it's in Central London and no parking, Queen Charlotte's is closer and parking (and I designated womens hospital?) I know the clinical director there

Interesting point re the designated women's hospital bit.

Not to say that your bit about knowing the clinical direct isn't, of course!!!

It really isn't interesting that I know her, I put that incase it's wrong, but I'm sure she did mention that