Ealing mums - Queen Charlotte’s or Chelsea & Westminster for NHS care?

[KaeBee]

Don’t want to get ahead of myself as last year I referred then lost the pregnancy but also don’t want to leave it late as if things go well this time (only 6w so far) it’s my first and I’m a massive worrier!

Torn between NHS at QC or C&W, QC is slightly closer to me (my closest option). I suspect either would be fine but would love to hear from anyone with firsthand experience of them.

I know there are a few older threads but not sure how things will have changed since the pandemic.
Thanks so much 🙂

@KaeBee, congrats on your pregnancy and hope everything is going well this time around! It's my first one also so not able to offer any recommendations but joining in to say that I am also torn between the two hospitals.

QC is closer and I think reviews are mostly positive. C&W - I have had to go to the EPU very early on and staff have been lovely and attentive so far. I've read negative reviews about post-natal though and the slightly longer distance from home compared to QC concerns me a little.

Which one did you end up choosing?

@joyjoy23 I’ve ended up going with QC, the distance was the deciding factor for me in the end given they both seem good! Have a booking appointment 17th so can always let you know what it’s like after 🙂
Congrats on your pregnancy! Have you managed to decide yet?

I haven't decided yet. I am leaning towards C&W for now, but trying not to rush with the referral as it's still very early days. I am about 6 weeks in.

Hope your first appt at QC goes smoothly on the 17th -- let me know. I will keep u posted too and, if I end up going to C&W, maybe we can at least compare notes as we go through this...🙌🏻

I was Chelsea Westminster for my son (born sept 2020) and had a great experience- though it was covid and we paid extra for a room in the private wing at last min so not sure how relevant my experience is now, but happy to answer any questions.
Am currently 10 weeks with my second and have chosen QC as we’ve moved and it’s much closer. Have first appointment next week so can let you know. Only downside so far is that I recently had an early miscarriage and had already self-referred to QC. I phoned to let them know and make sure I wasn’t sent any appointment reminders and I still got sent letters about scans and appointments- twice! Still decided to go with them again as local mums very positive about the maternity care.

Hey @KaeBee @joyjoy23 and @PimlicoMum4 - we've just found out this week that we're pregnant with our first baby and just wondering how your experiences at QC and C&W have been for you all please?

@PSims I’m still with QC and so far they’ve been brilliant. Also easier for me to get to that CW which has been good as I’ve had two appointments there some weeks recently.

I opted for Queen Charlotte's, had my dating scan today and so far all has been great. The EPU there were also extremely helpful when I called with bleeding early on, they got me an appointment within a couple of hours to put my mind at rest.

@PSims My experience with Chelsea and Westminster has been positive so far. Not impressed with the fact that they don't offer much outside of what is deemed standard unless you're classed as a high risk pregnancy - but I guess all NHS hospitals will be the same in that regard.

I quite like the fact that they have the private Kensington Wing in C&W, which gives you best of both worlds if that's a consideration for anyone, e.g. for additional scans, postnatal care, etc.

@PimlicoMum4 Sorry to hear about your experience last time! Hope all is working well for you and your little one this time around :)) How did you find the private room in the private wing in C&W? Did you book it for postnatal only?

I had a private room (post natal only) at QC and only have positive feedback about the whole experience from start to finish. Was 5-10 years ago (being vague) but think it's such a good hospital. I am high risk so had a lot of consultant care

I’m currently at C&W and really impressed with the care. I’m high risk and had a few serious issues so far already, so even though only second trimester I’ve been in and out a lot. Absolutely excellent care so far, I feel in really safe caring hands.

Would you mind telling me more about the private room at C & W? How does that work?

Thank you!

Hello, has anyone had experience with the West Middlesex University Hospital? I am opting between West Middlesex University Hospital and Queen Charlotte