Can I choose where I receive maternity care?

[Luckyme30]

Is it possible to choose where I receive maternity care - as in can I choose a hospital that is ‘out of area’?

If so has anyone done this and what were you experiences and how do I go about doing this?

I think you can but be careful. You need somewhere that is easy to get to quickly. And if it doesn't have certain facilities you may end up not having a choice.

Yes you can. It's patient choice.

I work at my local hospital which is 25 mins away. I've chosen to have my maternity care elsewhere which is about an hour away not in rush hour.

My local hospital are doing all my midwife appts locally, but my scans, bloods, consultant appts have all been at the other hospital. I have had to go across purely for a blood test etc but the extra travel doesn't bother me.

Thank you for the responses.

I have had consultant care at a hospital which is over an hours drive from me - my consultant is an obstetrician but also has dealt with my many gynae issues and I feel safe under his care, knowing that he knows my whole history etc.

The only problem which I can see being a big problem is that my partner does not drive - that’s not an issue for appointments but could be an issue later down the line :(

I’m hoping for an elective c section anyway due to health but I guess that can’t be guaranteed.

I’m just not confident in my local hospital especially as they do not understand my underlying gynae issues and have advised that I do not need any extra care through maternity but yet when I contacted the consultant at my previous hospital he has advises I need to be under consultant led care and have extra scans etc..

It’s so difficult

I think you probably can, although I was given an option of 2 - in my area. Remember when you have the baby, you may well go into the hospital and then they send you home for a while, so if you’re that far away with a partner that doesn’t drive it could be a problem.

That’s what worries me is that he can’t drive due to illness so although we could rely on a relative, that may not always be possible in an emergency situation.

There is a hospital more local to me that’s not as far, I may ask about that.

Do you know would I need to request this with the midwife?