Tameside vs Stepping Hill

[LAH74]

Hi all, I'm 12+3 weeks pregnant and had my booking appointment and 12 week scan at Tameside Hospital. I have a few concerns already and after searching extensively online have found far more negative than positive reviews of Tameside which is making me worry. I only just find out that I could choose which hospital I go to - my GP told me i had to go to Tameside as they couldn't fit me in for the 10 week booking appointment and I think they assumed I decided on it once there. I've since heard some great things about Stepping Hill and would love to hear anyone's experiences or recommendations as it's my first pregnancy so I'd love any advice! Thanks in advance

I expect you will find good and bad stories for both hospitals. My friend had 2 great home births with Tameside midwives. I had an awful experience giving birth at stepping hill but that was 2015 so not very recent. It put me off going there again for my 2nd

I had DS in 2015 in one of the birthing suites at Stepping Hill, I was the only one in the department :S the first 2 midwives thought I was making up how quickly my contractions were coming until they monitored me and I felt abit let down by the whole experience involving them 2 but when it came to shifts being swapped, I had a lovely older midwife who couldn't have been better, such a caring, sweet lady and it made all the difference and she was only with me for an hour. She came to check on me later on after she was leaving and honestly, she made my whole experience.

Only have the one, but overall I was quite happy with my time there but only thanks to her. And I know it doesnt happen all the time :)

I gave birth on the mlu in stepping hill and stayed on the wards for a week afterwards. My birth was brilliant as was my care afterwards I had some absolutely lovely midwives. I went into triage several times during my pregnancy both during the day and the middle of the night and was always seen right away, no one made me feel bad for going in they were all lovely.
Stepping Hill looks a little shabby so people don't think it's any good but I was looked after very well there.

Tameside was my local hospital but it's now Stepping Hill, my community and postnatal midwives from this pregnancy and my last pregnancy last year have all being from Stepping Hill and have been amazing however I'm delivering at St Marys, I would definitely consider Stepping Hill otherwise

My phone decided to put ‘I would be completely also as she would not arrive in time’ instead of I would be completely alone as dh would not arrive in time’ in case that sentence is confusing.

I had a baby about a year and a half ago at stepping hill. I will never go back there. I was violently assaulted by the staff. The complaints process was awful. They treated be so badly. I was left with severe PTSD. If I am lucky enough to have another child I will go to st Mary's.

Have you considered st Mary's? I have heard good things.

@migrainequeen I am the service user Chair for Tameside and Glossop MVP if you would like to feed back any comments on your care - good or not so good I can support you in doing this and it can be done anonymously.

Feel free to email me at [email protected]

We have regular service user meet ups - next one is this Sunday 12-2pm at Ikea café in Ashton. All mums and dads welcome!

I had a positive experience at Stepping Hill in late November 2018. I was under the consultant throughout my pregnancy (for high BMI) and ended up being admitted and induced at 38+6. My midwife during birth itself was brilliant and my post-natal care was good. We ended up staying in for 4 nights to bring my BP under control and to treat my baby's jaundice and the student midwives on the ward were brilliant. Lots of help establishing breast feeding and really did all they could to chase blood tests etc to get us home.

Had both my boys at Stepping Hill, an emergency and an elective section. Had decent care and the midwives were amazing. Especially the student ones. Stayed on Mat 2 after having my youngest 4 weeks ago. Consultants prior to having them both were fab as well (diabetic), were always happy to answer my questions and assuage any anxiety.

@migrainequeen no worries - please do feel free to attend the meeting - we are always looking for new service users and to get feedback.

If you can't make the meeting we have a Facebook page so do give us a like
www.facebook.com/Tameside-and-Glossop-Maternity-Voices-Partnership-495089277668564/?epa=SEARCH_BOX