Help! (maybe stupid) question about private/NHS emergency care

[hugefatso]

Currently 30 weeks. We are booked in with a private obstetrician and delivery at Lindo Wing as we have come from abroad. No insurance, just paying outright.

Tonight I am not feeling good. Bad nausea, smelly urine, abdominal pain. Being a natural worrier I am thinking ahead and wondering that if we had to go into hospital tonight for any reason, would we immediately get put on the private ward? Or would we be taken as NHS? We have budgeted for the delivery and obstetrician privately, not for any other emergency care relating to the pregnancy.

I'm not sure about the cost aspect, but if you have abdominal pain, smelly urine and feel unwell you could have a UTI and it's important to get seen by a doctor and treated. Hope someone else is more helpful and you feel better soon.

Treatment in A&E free. Treatment in hospital may incur a charge (lots of places don't check).

The NHS is free. So is A&E. Prescriptions aren't. You would most likely to be put on an NHS ward. Unless your in labour and you let them know, they'll probably put you on the private wing.

I had 1st baby on NHS but since 2007 I have private care including pregnancies. If I had problem, whether I was private or not, and I couldn't wait to be seen by appointment (like awful cramps or less baby movement) etc I'd go to A&E.

The NHS is free for those who are ordinarily resident in the UK, or in cases of immediate emergency.

If you need hospital treatment during your stay in the UK, ensure you can provide evidence that you are entitled to free treatment. Or you can be charged, and may have to pay in advance. :)