Princess Royal University Hospital Bromley

[gloti]

hi all
does anyone have any experiences to share about this hospital? I have been told this is where I'll be giving birth and I have never been...
I have looked online and all the reviews I found are very old so if any of you has had a baby there could you let me know if it was good? from what I gather looking at old reviews the labor part is good but the ward is dirty and the service is poor?
any comments welcome
thanks! xx

Yes. I had my daughter there in feb 2011. I was induced. The midwifes
were so lovely and it was very nice room and very clean. They got me whatever i wanted very quickly and i was never left on my own. Midwife hardly left the room.
I did find that once my baby was born.... As a first time mum i was not given any advice on hiw to care for my baby. They let u get on with it so if you do need help ask them. Once I asked they were fine to show me.
I think you will be fine. Over all it was a great experience.

i had my son there 11 years ago before the new hospital was built and it was good then and i had my daughter there 8 years ago in the new build and it was even better. They was fantastic she was born very quickly and was blue and i was in shock and they was brilliant, also when it came to me going home they said i could go in 6 hours and i explained i would feel better staying for 1 night as my daughter swallowed alot of mucas and they didnt argue they just agreed, i am ttc atm but have moved to maidstone but wish i was closer cos i would definately go there again, good luck xx

I work there and had dd2 there. It's fine. Midwifery led birthing unit if you're uncomplicated delivery which is lovely - home from home atmosphere and you're allowed home six hours later - next door labour ward and scbu down the corridor if you need it (which we did).
They run open evenings, do go along and have a look. They're busy but good. About to be taken over by KCH. When are you due?

Im due to give birth there too with dc1. Been to have a scan and an antenatal class. They showed us a virtual tour of the ward at the class. Seems quite clean and they have 10 individual rooms you can use if available on the postnatal ward. Workers at the antenatal clinic are friendly and helpful. My friend gave birth there 8 months ago and she said it was very good hospital and midwives were great. Hopefully we will have a good experience too.

Bell- if they are to be taken over by kch how will it affect women due to give birth there, if at all?

I was very pleasantly surprised. But then i had (always do) expected the worst. Had a planned cs and they treated me well pre, during and post op, respected my requests etc. i was def happy with my care, aside from a small quibble with the midwife in charge on the first night (said she had never heard of cosleeping and did I know babies fall out of hospital beds... I had asked for the bed guards I was told they could provide... Bit weird as I felt bullied but I stood my ground and we agreed to disagree). Food was yum (to my amazement). Some other mums were in pain post op but I was fine. agree not much baby care advice but that seems the norm. Breastfeeding help was pretty minimal but there was an open session which I am glad I went to as it reminded me how to hold baby where midwives hadn't. Two of 4 mums on my bay were recommended to top up with formula on day 1 as their babies were "big". Glad I didn't have to have that fight. Good luck.

I was there a year ago btw

Thanks everyone! your comments have put my mind at rest I'm due 2nd August so a long wait yet!
I haven't been to any classes yet I will start in a few weeks so def worth taking a look at the ward etc.
I'm from Spain where maternity wards are a bit different (normally you get your own room and someone can stay with you overnight) but I realise it is different here.
thanks again and yes, it would be good to know how the take over would affect things xx

I had to stay the night before my induction and my partner could inly stay til 11pm at night. But that was fine!! They really are very nice.

Takeover shouldn't make a difference to maternity, still same number of babies to be delivered in local area. May be busier if they close Lewisham maternity but that fight will take a while to sort out so you should be fine. It's busy, but what maternity dept isn't in London?

Hello, DD1 there in 2007 and DD2 in 2009 and due there again in six weeks.
Busy ward, very busy midwives, but no complaints. Midwife there the whole time. Epidural both times. Had to wait two days for induction (at 42+2 in end) which was frustrating/couldn't sleep etc. but delivery ward was full, so fair enough.
Good luck!