Do you have the right to chose any hospital you want?

[MerryWifeOfWindsor]

Forgive me if this comes across demanding
I always thought you had the right to choose and for the last two I chose the nearest and best hospital (Frimley Park - I don't live in Windsor ) but unfortunatly because of where I live I am actually in the Heatherwood/Wexham area. Heatherwood is only a small midwife led unit and if complications arise you have to go by ambulance to Wexham (20 mins ish), and the last two times I was under a consultant partially due to a small baby, then being on the weight limit for consultant care So, that leaves Wexham which is easily 3 or more times the distance of Frimley Park, not including heavy traffic (just distance), I don't really like Wexham and my MIL works there (not a main reason, but still reason enough!). My other option is Reading which is OK but an awful journey down the M4 to reach. Now, my problem is last time I just got into Frimley, MW said when I was overdue to pick another hospital as they were not accepting anymore out of area patients (leading me to hang around Heatherwood for half a day waiting for a sweep they had no idea about and them getting me back under Frimley care). So, do I have a 'right' to go to Frimley if I want? I am that passionate about it I would rent out my house and move (have ishoos with Heatherwood care) Thanks

From my own experience, you can choose your won hospital. For this pregnancy (which is no more due to missed MC), I told my GP I wanted to be under consultant care at the Chelsea & Westminster (as planning on moving back to London in near future and because it has some of the best consultants), however, I am currently based in Manchester. He said it was ok and the C&W booked me in. He had some misgivings about the travel for appointments.

Thankyou for your reply and I am so sorry about your MMC x

It depends on your luck
Sometimes they will restrict the number of out of area patients

I was given a choice between the two hosps near me, one I didn't feel confident about, so it was an easy choice. Good luck

I have chosen

I live in Bridgend and travel to Cardiff hospital for my appts and DS2 was born there last year. Just have to hope I dont go into labour at rush hour

I nmy area you can choose from four very different hospitals. You can be turned down from all of them if they already have a lot of women 'immediately in area' on the books for your due date, and you can even be turned away on the day if a unit is overcrowded.

You can choose, but it doesn't mean you'll get that choice when it comes down to it IYSWIM .

Have another word with your midwife, especially if you have misgivings about your local hospital.