Which hospital? Essex area

[Seashells4]

Hi, hoping someone can help me.

I’ve done my referral for hospitals near me, which would be Basildon, Broomfield or Queens.
i selected Broomfield as this was my first choice and they’ve sent me an email saying they don’t have the capacity so won’t be able to take me on…

does anyone have any experience with basildon or Queens? As you can imagine I’m quite upset now and ive read all the bad press on basildon also with them not using gas and air now I’m a bit worried… queens was the last one I was going to pick but now I’m just in limbo :(

any reviews or advice would be really appreciated
x

My sister had a pretty awful birth at Basildon. Basildon and queens both have a Cqc rating of requires improvement. My sister is actually going to give birth at darent valley in Dartford this time. It doesn't have to be your local hospital, just obviously more hassle for you to travel.

Tho just checked and I think queens ratings are slightly better than broomsfields, as they are also requires improvement x

Basildon was awful when I had my son there. It was two years ago so it might be better.

They didn't believe me when my waters had broken, leading me to go several days like it (and got an infection). I went into labour a few days after my waters started leaking, and they didn't believe how much pain I was in. I went in initially to get stronger cocodamol, then was going to be induced as they did a test to check if my waters had broken. Luckily that time the line came up darker (I wish I had insisted that I saw a line on the first test, the midwife didn't let me get a good look and ignored me when I said I saw one). Didn't need to be induced as I was in active labour after they checked my cervix (not surprised, I was in so much pain).

The midwives who I had while I was in the labour ward were lovely though!

When I was in the postnatal ward, I didn't get a lot of help. They also mixed my notes up with the woman across from me and I was asked about a heart condition I didn't have (but the lady opposite had). There was one midwife who was really rude and I heard her shout at another mother who asked for help. Told her she had to look after her baby herself. She was quite rude when she did my observations.

It also took all day of complaining to get someone to actually do something about me no longer being able to hold my bladder, and it was only because I couldn't get a urine sample so they could check to see what sort of infection I had. I told two separate midwives who just brushed me off. It was humiliating.

It was incredibly hot in the ward too, my husband almost passed out a few times due to how hot it was. It was in Feb, and the heating was up ridiculously high. My son was uncomfortable from being so hot too.

The experience was not great and I was so relieved to be home after being in hospital for two days after giving birth. I could also finally shower as the shower on the ward was out of use.

Have you thought about Birthing at home ? x

Hi, the same thing happened to me, I went with Southend and quite happy with my care there so far, although I was worried and disappointed at the time I am happy with my choice now.

I was happy with Southend if that's an option for you

@Boymum2104 @Starryeyes34
thank you guys for the suggestion of southend - I did look it up but couldn’t find any info on how to do a self referral so figured it might be the same situation as broomfield.
were they quite quick getting a midwife in touch after your referred? And how did you refer?

thank you all for sending me your messages too. Looks like I’ll definitely be avoiding basildon!! X

I also had DS at Southend, they were very good. I ended up consultant led due to complications prior to labour, but I liked that the midwife led unit was on the hospital grounds so if things escalated it was a quick dash across the carpark no ambulance needed. The care on the ward after birth was excellent the midwives were lovely.

I was automatically placed with Southend as it's my nearest hospital so not sure on referral sorry! They did say whilst I was there they get very full due to Basildon now not having gas & air a lot of people locally opt for Southend. Good luck!

I've just self referred to Southend as they're my nearest hospital. I called the GP as I couldn't find the info online and they gave me the website.

Here's the form:

connect-maternitydirect.mse.nhs.uk

I'd never in a million years let anyone go to Basildon for anything. Let alone birth look at the incident rates and deaths.

Thank you all so much. Really really appreciate you responding x

Princess Alexandra in Harlow is good, if that's in any way doable for you, OP? Not a million miles from Queens, depending on which direction you live.

Yes I was able to refer on South essex hospital website I believe, defo can self refer and on the referral select southend, it also had the option of broomfield and basildon on there so think it's the same.form? Really quick to call me after to book me in for my booking in and bloods appointment within the week I think : )

@Starryeyes34 amazing! I’ve referred now so fingers crossed I get a call. Again I really appreciate your messages! :)

Hi. Sorry I know this is really old. Did you go with southend in the end? How has it been? X

@Lfas1990 hey! I did go with Southend in the end, they’ve been great so far all of the scans etc and my midwife has been lovely. Haven’t had the baby yet - got a few weeks to go! So not sure how birth is with them yet… however I’m happy with my choice and feel like I’ll be in good hands :)

Thanks so much for replying! I've just been told no from broomfield and had quite a traumatic birth at basildon. Hopefully southend say yes 🤞 did anyone give you much feedback on queen's? Xx

@Lfas1990 didnt get much feedback on queens no.. but the roads leading to queens always have more traffic on when coming from my way so I didn’t want to head into the direction of London so went for Southend.
quite a few people I know have had to go to Southend as we all couldn’t get into broomfield and didn’t want to go to Basildon, and they’ve all been happy with their decision too :) the out of areas midwives are lovely too

Hi would really like some advice my daughter found out she was 3+ pregnant a week ago went to doctors and referred her self to Southend hospital on the 19th of August , she had a call from Southend hospital 24th a few day after but she couldn’t answer and couldn’t call it back , she has called Southend maternity to say she has missed a call all they said is they will call later it’s been 2 days and nothing she has Pcos and potentially be 7 weeks (last period end of July) don’t know what to do or who to call so anxious help and advice please