anyone been to the new UCH maternity wing, whats it like???

[prada]

think it opened yesterday or today? what's it like anyone been?

i guess anything would be an improvement from the huntley street building!

Yes, was there yesterday for a midwife appointment. I was a bit underwhelmed to be honest, I suppose the main difference is just that it feels like a hospital now - lots of huge corridors, big lifts, all looks very uniform. Yes it is an improvement though.

One interesting point - I asked about tours (they used to run them in the previous building) but was told they weren't going to be run in the new building. Not sure how accurate this info is, but as I was there anyway for my appointment I actually went up to the Birthing Centre and asked and as they were v quiet they gave me a quick look round there and then (I am 38 wks). Bigger, cleaner rooms of course, all with a private bathroom (shower only), beanbags, lots of space, but tbh I was a bit disappointed as they are pretty hospital-like without any "homely" touches... but maybe I am expecting a bit too much!

Didn't get to see the labour ward or postnatal wards though.

thanks! anyone else been, is there private rooms for c-section?

i am due there next week for a c-section, no tours offered, but will pop in monday for a peep when i get my prescription and bloods!

Hi Prada, I do know that they have private rooms that you can pay for - about £150 I think, available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

thanks!

Do the private rooms have their own shower/toilet? What about labour ward rooms--do they have private toilets/showers? How many beds per room in the post-natal wards?

Had my daughter there on 14th Nov. Brilliant all round. Nice, spacious, clean rooms on the labour ward, lovely midwives, brilliant after care (had c-section in the end). Couldn't have been happier (after dreadful first birth experience at the Royal Free).

The 'bog standard' (ie. not private) labour rooms have all mod cons, are huge and have private en suite bathrooms. The ward I recovered on had 4 beds to a ward.

I should have waited an extra six months to have my baby. I had my ds earlier this year in the old building and, while the medical care there is good, was not happy with the overnight guest on my ward - a cockroach -. I hear the new wards have air conditioning, how poistively blissful.

I've been to the day assessment unit a couple of times over the last week and the waiting has been unbelievably long - there for around 4 hours each time but not emergency so that's maybe why. I agree there's nothing special - just a big clean hospital. All very clinical. I was also told there won't be any tours and will try and just turn up at the birthing centre to have a look around - just want to have an idea of where I'm going in my head before the big day. My experience of the midwives has also been hit and miss so far so fingers crossed for who's on duty when you get there!

tomasina, if the homely touches you're referring to are broken windows, filthy toilets, and a level of noise and mess more appropriate to a train station than a maternity ward, then i think they won't be missed!

had dd1 there almost 3 years ago, and would have probably gone back for dd2 if they had already been in the new building- but no way i was going back to that hellhole!