Choice of hospitals

[abcde1]

Probably been asked before but..

Am I allowed to ask to be booked in at a hospital which isn't the closest? We've moved (within London) since having DD and I'd like to be booked in at the hospital where I had her, rather than the closest/one of the ones my GP surgery generally refers to.

If it helps, I won't be giving birth in the UK: we're moving abroad way before my due date, so this will only be for check-ups. I therefore don't hopefully need to be able to get there in a hurry, so the extra travel time isn't an issue.

Am seeing my GP later and would like to know the rules on this.

I think so, but not sure. Bumping for you anyway as someone else will surely know

You should be able to, no problem. When I went to my booking appt I had a choice of 5 hospitals, some not even in my county. The hospital I am booked at is by no means my closest and is in a different county. I believe under the "right to choose" you can choose whichever hospital you like.

Yes in London most hospitals allow you to either call and book in on your own or some of them even have an online service to book in with them.

Jealous of those with good choices.
I had to choose which hospital (local default or slightly less local) the day I told the doctor's receptionist I was pregnant! Having poas the previous day, how was I supposed to know which hospital I wanted to give birth at?

I told my midwife which hospital I'd be giving birth at. It is't my nearest (had an awful experience there and won't be going back). It wasn't a problem.

Just make sure you book in early. They'll give preference to people living in their "catchment" area, but if you get in early enough they'll have a quota that they can accept from outside the catchment. Absolutely essential for the over-subscribed high reputation ones in London.

Not that it applies to you abcde, but I also heard that you can book in to whichever hospital takes your fancy... however on the actual day if they are full... you will be turned away anyway.