Can you refer yourself to another hospital?

[heather321]

Just that really. I am not happy with the care at my current hospital during my pregnancy and wondered if I would be able to refer myself to another hospital directly, or would this need to be done by my current hospital?

I am at very high risk for pre term labour but just feel like I'm being left with no checks.

In short yes you can.
I moved hospitals at 25 weeks with my DD in 2022 (I'd move areas as well). I contacted the hospital directly though my gp would have if I'd asked as was switching to a local hospital. The switch took <2 weeks and that was over Xmas break.

Really easy. Took my blue notebook from my original hospital.
My new hospital have me an extra scan when they booked me in as policy was to not trust/take at face value the previous hospital.

I'm glad for my choice and will be using the same hospital for my current pregnancy.

I think it depends where you live and the hospital - in theory yes, you can self refer, but they may not accept self referrals (either at all or after a certain point in your pregnancy).

I found out too late the hospital I wanted to transfer to wouldn't allow self referrals and had a cut off point for transfers of 16weeks. I spoke to the head of midwifery, maternity voices partnership, wrote a letter of appeal and was still rejected. It didn't help that I don't live in the same county as the hospital I wanted to transfer to, even though technically it's a closer hospital.

I was told if you can't self refer your GP or community midwife can do it for you.

Have you tried talking with anyone at you current hospital and raising your concerns? Is it something that can be addressed?

I’m 12 weeks pregnant with my second baby and have had my midwife transfer my care to another hospital as the maternity services at my closest hospital is outrageous. I done it at my booking appointment. I will have all prenatal, labour and post birth checks done at the new hospital too.

Thank you. It might be worth speaking with my community midwife.

It's more that they don't have the expertise. The hospital I want to go to has a top nicu unit, which can treat as early as 22 weekers (praying this does not happen however). My current hospital does not, and I don't think they're doing as thorough checks as necessary given my circumstances :-(

Sounds like you have reasonable grounds to request a transfer and it's worth asking. I would do it sooner rather than later. In my appeal letter I was advised to state my reasons for wanting to transfer and mine weren't as good as yours. It's frustrating because the NHS website states you have the right to choose, but it doesn't always feel like that.

You may have to go and have some tests redone at the new hospital but it sounds like that might not be a bad thing.

I hope you get the best care and best wishes for you and the safe arrival of your little one x