Maternity Services Review

As it's all still up in the air as to whether Dylan will make his life-debut in London or the Midlands, I figured it was about time to get some research done. So, I hit the Care Quality Commission website to look at the government's review of maternity services in the two areas Dyl and I are likely to be in. I looked at six hospitals.

In London, I looked at: Lewisham, with whom I'm technical expected to give birth as it currently stands; Kings College Hospital, my next nearest maternity unit; and the Elizabeth Garrett Unit at University College Hospital, as it's brand new, meant to be good and familiar after my two week 'vacation' there in June.

In the Midlands, I looked at: the Alexandra (aka the Alex), as it's the nearest to the area we are looking to move to and Gramdma Davis used to work there; Warwick Hospital, the next nearest and finally New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, where I was born and just in case I go into labour on Christmas Day at my parents!

I was totally amazed at the results. I perceived that UCLH would blow all the other's out of the water, and London would probably have slightly better hospitals due to the size of the place. I thought New Cross would be as bad as Lewisham, as I'd heard a lot of bad things. Boy, was I wrong! The only non-surprise was that Lewisham was HORRENDOUS!

Here's how the six stacked up in their overall rating, with the best, first:

=1st) Warwick - Better Performing (3/4) / The Alex - Better Performing (3/4)

3rd) New Cross - Better Performing (3/4)

4th) UCLH - - Fair Performing (2/4)

5th) Kings - Fair Performing (2/4)

6th) Lewisham - Least Well Performing (1/4)

The review breaks the scores down into percentages based on what mother's said. I've put a more detailed breakdown here, which I think makes very interesting reading. I can't believe how low Lewisham scored for example. They were consistently around 20% below the national average! I can say now that there is NO WAY I am giving birth there! If we are in London, I'll walk to the Euston Road to get to UCLH if I have to (I know a lot of cab firms refuse to take labouring mothers, in case we 'stain' their seats!!!)

So, it looks like, as I expected, UCLH or the Alex for me I think! It's nice to have evidence to back up my instinct though! Fingers crossed that we're in the Midlands!!!