Cheapest private maternity care in the UK?

[silverturtle]

Hello all,

I wonder what is the cheapest option for the private antenatal care + delivery in the UK?
It looks like I don't have free access to the NHS, so exploring alternative options currently. I am not very comfortable with paid-for NHS option, as it basically means signing an open cheque.
So far I found a full care package (midwife-led) for ~£8K - does this seem realistic, or too low and there will be extra charges?

Thank you very much xxx

You should be entitled to NHS care, as you are here as the spouse of an EU citizen here through the SS route, you should be treated as an EU citizen.

KingTot Probably, as was mentioned before, because you paid an NHS surcharge as a part of your visa application. There was no NHS surcharge yet when I was applying (I am not sure that it exists at all for the EEA permits) - I was asked by the local trust to show evidence of payment, which I obviously do not have as it did not exist at that time at all.

Triple check OP! I’ll eat my hat if you’re not entitled, but most of all I’d be angry on your behalf.

Honestly that's not correct. Not everyone is aware about the rights of those with EEA permits.

AnonyRat In the process - the application is with the Home Office for 8 months now, so I lost hope a bit.

I am an NHS midwife. In my experience, any woman who presents in early pregnancy is booked for and receives NHS maternity care. The booking process does not inquire into nationality or visa status.

The only ones I know who have been queried are those foreign nationals who rock up at 30+ weeks from overseas.
I am currently providing care to a US student who is here doing a Masters degree.

@mayhew people not entitled to NHS maternity care may be given care but they may also be billed later. Most London hospitals ask for a passport and proof of address now. The NHS bit of my maternity hospital has signs all around saying ‘you may not be entitled to NHS care’.

eastmidlandsmove That is what I thought too, but the computer in the Overseas Department said no in my situation. Last time I used the NHS was almost five years ago (and passed the check from the same department), so foolishly assumed without checking that everything will be the same this time as well.
I don't mind paying, I never intended to claim anything that I am not entitled to.

I work in London and have never known anyone in your position to be charged. Like I said, it's the cheeky late arrivals who, occasionally, get charged.

Even if they have changed the rules about this, as family member of EEA you are entitled to the same rights as EU, but it seems like you want to pay so there you there.

At no point in maternity care do we look at any ID documents. I doubt anyone would even think of it unless you raised the issue yourself.

mayhew I received a written request to attend a meeting with an officer from the Overseas Visitors Team to determine my eligibility after the booking appointment (at 9 weeks). I don't think my nationality was asked for, only languages spoken at home.

This is so odd. I really hope it's a mistake. Many, many of my friends are here on all sorts of passports/visa arrangements - they've lived/worked here for years and not once mentioned having to pay for NHS care.

As a senior NHS manager it would never occur to me to question your eligibility, especially if your husband is British.

It's an exceptionally sad state of affairs if this is the way we're heading

Those saying at no point do people look at immigration status are clearly not working in London. It is routine in London to check nhs entitlement - sometimes this is done the day of birth!

Can you not get British citizenship by virtue of your marriage?

I did not know that apple. How long has that been going on for?

And people this is what you voted for by brexit - then all eu people won’t be automatically entitled either!

Well I only know the last 4-5 years since my friends have been giving birth.

Not going to chime in about your entitlement to NHS care as I have no idea but I had DD privately in London last year. Consultant led care, delivery by ELCS in the NHS theatre (I still paid as I was a private patient), transfer to private wing for recovery, DD’s new baby check done by a private paediatrician. I’d be happy to talk you through costs etc. if you have any questions.

Some hospitals like in tooting, London health tourism is rife. Every second person getting treated there doesn’t have English as their first language

For any appointment at my big London NHS hospital I have to take my passport and proof of address to confirm my eligibility for NHS treatment.

This is stated on all appointment letters regardless of the patient’s nationally.

From my trust’s website:

“To establish you eligibility, the Trust may ask you questions about your residential status when you register for a clinical appointment. This can apply to any patient regardless of nationality or if you've paid taxes in the past.

We always ask new maternity patients to provide two documents as evidence of their identity and address at their appointment for a 12-week scan.”

'Can you not get British citizenship by virtue of your marriage?'

Being married to a British citizen does not entitle one to citizenship. You still have to go through the proper visa path and then apply to naturalise.

Expat but she’s surely entitled to do that?