Just to add my bit. I had my first baby at St George's in the Carmen Suite and had a reasonably good experience. However I opted for Kingston for my second baby as the month I gave birth in St George's they had had to close the maternity wing to new admissions a record number of times. I understand that this is because they allow a limitless amount of people to register to give birth there versus hospitals like Kingston which have a quota each month I think. I was pretty quick the first time and couldn't face being turned away which is why I opted for Kingston which at the time had never had to close its doors. Surely with this pressure on the hospital they would be glad of some women voluntarily chosing to go elsewhere? I also believe they receive a hefty fine every time they have to close so that has to be taken into account too.

Having a choice of hospitals is good, I went to St.G when I was 6 weeks for emergency tests after 4 hours of waiting to get my bloods taken and then another hour to see a doctor, waiting in the general room with everyone I didn't get that warm and fuzzy feeling so went to C& W for both births, but that was my personal choice. However many of my friends had their babies at ST. G with both good and bad experiences, having a choice is good!

C&W mat unit isn't closing - this is at least in part as a result of the outcomes of public consultation. There were several comments/threads on NVN about it if I remember correctly.

This is a non-story from the WW Guardian, who seem to struggle for 'news' (although I think they only have one, or possibly two, reporters so it must be hard for them to do anything 'investigative' rather than regurgitating press releases). If you're in the north of the borough you'll prob go to C&W, to the West then Kingston, to the South then St George's. Others go to different hospitals outside the borough due to needs for specialist care. I know of a number of Lambeth women who've given birth at George's and have friends in Teddington and around who were offered George's too, so it must be reciprocal.

As someone said before, there'll be bad stories of births at every hospital, and fabulous ones too. My understanding is that St George's is an excellent hospital, particularly if your baby needs attention post-birth. C&W also has an excellent reputation and deals with a lot of complicated births - takes high risk patients from other areas.

Ok, I take it back, just googled it and it looks like it may be staying open - which is odd as it was a doctor who told me it was closing! So not too sure now!

I might be wrong - but as part of North West London's "shaping a healthier future", I believe the maternity unit at C&W will shut in the next year or so. The consultation went through judicial review and I thought it was fairly final - but could be wrong..... Those giving birth there are expected to go to St Georges, UCL and Charing X (??) From what I remember reading.

I just wanted to add another voice of support for St George's!

I have had 3 children (2 in the hospital, 1 through the St G rainbow team homebirth midwives at home); one miscarriage with associated operation; had a child spend time in Paediatric Intensive Care; made various visits to Paediatric A&E (always being seen very quickly); had a child have a couple of ops and also enjoyed a few stays on different Paediatric wards and I can honestly say that I have never had a bad experience - excellent care all round.

Wow - written down like that, I've certainly been getting my money's worth from the NHS!! (and all children are perfectly healthy now )

I had my baby at C&W because it was the nearest hospital to where we live than St George's - I could only think of the traffic holding me up en route to St. Georges, whereas we can get to C&W fairly quickly from Clapham Junction (the only traffic build up is pretty much the bridge area).

Also, when I went to the doctors, they gave me a choice and C&W was at the top of their list, with St. Georges following closely second.

Gave birth in August 2012, and have to say C&W were absolutely fabulous. We ended up staying there a week, and ok it's not quite the Ritz hotel, but in terms of the NHS, it exceed my expectations. The team that helped me out were just lovely. Would definitely choose C&W again.

For what it's worth, I just wanted to say that st George's have seen me through two births with various complications (everything ok in the end though) plus a miscarriage. They were excellent at dealing with everything.

There will always be good and bad experiences at any hospital, but for any of you who are pregnant and under st George's care, please try not to let newspaper stories like this worry you.

I had my first baby at C+W and my second at St George's after we moved closer to St George's. Both actual birth experiences were manged brilliantly. I found my antenatal care at St George's was far more flexible - Saturday and evening appointments and the midwives were always on time, whilst at C+W they were frequently an hour or two late for my appointments. I think being close to a good hopsital (and both are) is the most important thing - I know for sure whilst in labour having to try and cross the Thames in rush hour would be horrific.

Actually, Papanian, there is a grain of truth to this...

The NHS has effectively already been privatised with the government lying GPs directly per head of population. The GPs (over simplification) then commission services

So if a large number of women from Wandswortg eschew St G's in favour of C&W then the money goes to Chelsea rather than staying locally. Ultimately it could mean the worsening of services there or even closure if the trend continues.

Personally I delivered at Chelsea (live in Fulham) and had a horrible experience (despite being a doctor myself) so would urge mummies from south of the river to consider carefully - Chelsea does not have the staffing or capacity to take on all the work it does!

I know of lots of mums who used C&W instead of St G's even when they live right by St G's!

I've had two wonderful births at St G's (one in Carmen, one induction in delivery suite) and excellent maternity care even with a few complications involving lots of extra appointments. But wouldn't have considered travelling to one further away anyway.
When my partner realised there was a choice (after I had chosen St G's) he couldn't believe I didn't choose C&W because "that would look so much better on their passport as place of birth than Tooting"!!

That said, it is wonderful we do have the choice- even if we decide only based on which one sounds better!

Just to add, to kittens77 and anyone else who has had what they describe as an "horrific experience" previously, DO ask to talk it through with a senior midwife. St. George's has a dedicated service enabling women to do just this and I am sure other maternity units will have a similar service.

Hi,

This really is a non-story which is a shame the local Guardian chose its headline as it did.

Women can choose to go ANYWHERE to have a baby - the trick is booking early enough to get in. In my NCT classes over the years I have had women who havn't been able to get in to their Hospital of choice.

St. George's is at the bottom end of the Borough and for many women in Streatham for example it is by far their nearest Hospital. Also women living in Putney are more likely to choose Chelsea and Westminster for ease of access.

Slightly off topic but if anyone is considering a Homebirth then it it is essential that you book with the local Hospital as Homebirth midwives don't cross boundaries.

Just for a bit of balance, I had a great experience having my daughter at St George's last summer and would definitely book in there again if we have a number two.

I find this very strange... When you visit your GP to tell them of your pregnancy, they give you the choice of 3 hospitals, st G's, Chelsea and W'Minster and Kingston. Why would they do that if it had cost implications if you choose somewhere other than st G's. I am currently expecting my 2nd and am due to give birth at St G's which I chose as its by far the closest, despite having a pretty horrific experience there with my first.