Whipps Cross Hospital

[user1465146157]

Can anyone please tell me a positive story about Whipps Cross hospital?

Due to give birth there in a few months and each time I’ve left an appointment recently I’ve just felt like crying- mostly out of fear that some of the staff there could possibly be looking after me at my most vulnerable.
I’ve been treated so rudely and unprofessionally - not every time but mostly. I just can’t understand the attitude of some of the staff - why they would work in a setting where they need to show compassion or even just general care.

Just been in for a vaccination- she didn’t even ask my name or details, was rude to me about the form to fill in, was not informative and prolonged the whole thing.

I’ve left seriously considering moving hospitals although it would be an upheaval as I’m quite late on now.

Also no one ever answers the phone there - and staff can never answer a simple question or find an answer I always just get told to ask someone else or get fobbed off.

Has anyone else had a good experience there?

Thank you

I have a friend who had all her maternity care elsewhere as she didn’t like the look of Whipps but ended up giving birth there and really rated the experience. Sorry I don’t have a personal story or any detail. But I’m following this thread with interest as It’s my closest hospital and I self referred 2 weeks ago but haven’t heard a peep from them. Tried calling many times and no answer. So I’ve basically given up and Referred to Homerton instead. It’s 25 mins away though which isn’t ideal. Keen to hear any good stories that might convince me to try WHipps again for convenience

@luckyflash - have had no responses to this and I sent a complaint to WC and got no reply!

Am in the process of transferring now but feel nervous about it - it would be good to hear your thoughts on Homerton - I'm in the same position, its further away so was hoping WC might get some good reviews but none so far x

I've lived in Leytonstone most of my life, Whipps cross was known as one of the more unprofessional hospitals when it comes to dealing with pregnant/labouring women. I think they've really pulled their socks up since being in special measures, however, if you don't feel happy you should change. Whipps cross is my local hospital but I birthed my son at Homerton and will be doing the same with this baby too. I find them to be much more professional! Plus Homerton have just allowed 2 birth partners where Whipps cross is still only 1

@user1465146157 can’t believe they haven’t responded to your complaint!

I haven’t actually been to Homerton yet but they called me 2 days after I referred to confirm my booking appt (over the phone) and I’ve had a letter confirming my first scan so from an admin point of view it’s going well lol

I had my first at Whipps via section 2 years ago and am having my second there in a few weeks.

I think they've been less organised this time, I put it down to COVID and the fact that they are upgrading the antenatal, birthing and post natal areas. I believe they just finished the antenatal.

I had a perfectly fine experience, baby was born healthy, I had a quick recovery, have been told my section scar is very good and that the surgeons were good.

I'm not sure I could have needed much else from them. I really think it depends on your individual birth. I know people who have had good and bad experiences there.

Hommerton is meant to be very good, my sister just had a baby there. It was fine, but they were stubborn on pain relief post traumatic birth. I also went in for
Monitoring with her and felt their bedside manner was lacking. But mother and baby fine.

I had my son at Whipps in 2017, due my second there in a few weeks.

Their admin is shocking, seriously awful. And some of the antenatal stuff is a bit impersonal & rushed. BUT, I had fantastic care when giving birth. Don’t have anything bad to say about my birth experience (v long labour, Ventouse, third degree tear), was looked after so well. Felt really respected and listened to.

Postnatal was fairly mediocre but think that’s similar lots of places. But aftercare for the third degree tear was great.

This time I’m consultant led and I have almost always felt listened to & respected and they are really keen to make a more complicated situation fit with what I would like. I’m more than happy to be using them again. That’s comparing my experience with friends who’ve used Homerton & UCLH.

It’s my closest but having heard experiences from friends who have gone there I wouldn’t do it. Had my first in Homerton and had a great experience; going back there for my second. It’s also 25 mins away for me and though the journey in labour wasn’t great it was worth it for peace of mind. Outside London it’s normal to be 1 hour+ away from the closest hospital.

I refuse to go to whipps. Just don’t like the feeling I get whilst there. We are going to look at princess Alexander in Harlow. I’ve heard that’s great and quite new.

Oh dear! Sounds like Whoops cross hasn't changed much!
When I was pregnant a few years ago, we were spending a fair amount of time near there. I made my ex promise me to take me anywhere else but there if I went into labour.

I had my daughter at Whipps in 2017 and the care was fine - I spent a week on the antenatal ward before induction, then eventually had a c section and everyone was kind and helpful. It was very busy though

If I ever had another (quite unlikely) I'd go back.

I’m planning to go to Whipps as it’s much closer to me than Homerton, I know 2 friends of friends who have given birth there and had positive experiences although I’ve read negative things online! Only just starting my prenatal care and I have found it chaotic but everything is different with Covid so giving them benefit of the doubt...

I have quite a few friends there who have had decent experiences. I have found the scans very organised and haven’t had to chase for those. If you look at their social media you can see they have just finished renovating the birth centre it looks great! Rated good in all aspects in December 2019 by CQC so I assume things have improved a lot. Also, there is a forum taking place online on Wednesday where you can give feedback via zoom.

@LuckyFlash - I also self referred last week and not heard anything! Have sent an online request to the GP to see if anything can be done to expedite.
I work for the Trust (but not directly at Whipps) so will look up the internal numbers when I get back to work next week and try to chase that way. If no joy then I’m booking at Homerton!

[email protected]
I’ve always had quick replies from this email!

@mouldygrapes I found it slow initially - they’d not contacted me 7 days after self-referral so I phoned up and they were able to tell me the booking appt date straight away, think the admin team is slow as it was already booked for me but no one had rung!

When I referred previously early in the year they were much quicker and rang me within 3 days which is why I thought it might be due to Covid staff shortage. I never got further than booking appointment last time as I miscarried but they were quite helpful with that, too.

@peachypetite yeah that’s the address I used. Sent in last Monday afternoon
@Poppy10121 maybe I’ll call them to chase, I know they are sometimes a bit understaffed

Thanks both

Random. I always got replies the next day. Good luck.

@mouldygrapes strange that we both had the same experience! If you do end up going to Homerton i can’t recommend them enough. Everyone I have spoken to has been so friendly and helpful and I was immediately referred for a reassurance scan when I was worried about spotting last week. Really happy with the experience so far

@LuckyFlash that’s good to hear. I have also had some spotting and cramping today, very worried it means bad news

I had the option of both Whipps or Princess Alexandra in Harlow. I chose the latter because of the reputation of Whipps. I’ve had some good experiences there and some awful ones (in terms of a&e) but then care seems very inconsistent.
PAH however have been truly excellent so far.

@mouldygrapes fingers crossed for you! Not sure how far along you are but the midwife told me it’s really common at 9/10 weeks when the placenta is attaching. I think that’s what mine was as it’s stopped since and I got to see a happy little bubba

I had my baby at Whipps and will go back there if I have a second (unless CQC etc changes by then). Antenatal care felt quite disorganised in booking but ran well when I got there. I was very well looked after in labour and for the most part afterwards too - had one horrible midwife but that was in a sea of kind and professional hospital staff so I don’t think she is the norm. I was discharged quickly (which is what I wanted) and recovered really well from the birth. Lots of local friends have gone for Homerton instead and a couple of them had negative experiences there but I don’t think that’s necessarily representative either - so much of it comes down to the specific people there on the day. I’m sorry you’ve had some bad experiences. Feeling comfortable is important so if you would feel better elsewhere then do move.

@mouldygrapes I hope you get some reassurance soon and all is well with your baba.

ToffeeAppleCaramel thank you. I would really like to go to Whipps so will give them a bit longer.

@LuckyFlashNot as far along as you - only 5+1 so maybe it’s some implantation blood working it’s way down. Don’t like the cramping though.
I have booked a private scan for between 7-8 weeks

Sorry @ToffeeAppleCaramel tagging fail, and thank you too @LuckyFlash