Any recent recommendations on Hills Private?

[natski]

Hi,

I've been reading through all these threads, seeing some mixed reviews on Hills Private Hospital. Has anyone had any recent experience there? I am pregnant with bub no.2.

I had my son at Westmead Public as a private patient with Dr Bell as my ob (whom I'm seeing again) - we were very happy with Westmead public, but unfortunately he doesn't deliver there anymore. We feel that Hills is closer to our home and Dr Bell's rooms in case of emergencies, but seeing the mixed reviews, I'm a little uncertain. Although I realise everyone has different experiences and unfortunately if you have a good one the first time, the expectations are much higher for subsequent births and hospital stays...hmph!

Second time round, I'm hoping that I'll be a bit more experienced (or remember everything) and won't need too much help from nursing staff etc. I think my main concern is getting a single room - a bit selfish, but if you're paying for health insurance, you kind of expect it hey!

Anyway, if anyone has any recent experiences from the Hills, it would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Sophiebear]

Hi,

I'm due to give birth to my second baby at The Hills Private in 6 weeks.

When I went into my "booking in" appointment, I had to sign a piece of paper stating that I had been informed that single rooms would be allocated on a "first in" basis.

The midwife said that they try to get you into a single room as quickly as possible.

To me the most important thing is having an OB who I trust, so the hospital was a secondary consideration.

I have heard that the midwives at the Hills are all every experienced.

I had my first baby at Westmead Public 9 years ago, and the Hills Hospital is like a 5 star hospital compared to Westmead Public (as it was 9 years ago).

Would the SAN be an option perhaps?

Sophiebear

[natski]

Thanks Sophiebear - my OB doesn't deliver at the SAN anymore either.

Westmead Private is an option, but he does prefer Hills, and its probably a bit more convenient for us for a number of reasons. I agree, I'd rather have my doctor who I love as preference to the hospital. I'll just have to cross my fingers tightly and hope for the best that I get a single room.

As I said, I had a great experience with Westmead public as a private patient, and unfortunately you have that expectation, and hope your next experience will be just as good, if not better - especially when you're actually paying for the service through a private fund this time.

Good Luck for the big delivery in the next 6 weeks - hope it all goes well for you. Thanks for your info.

Oh PS - do you know if the husbands can stay in the room if they're single rooms? This was another perk we experienced before :)

[Sophiebear]

As far as I am aware, your husband is allowed to stay overnight once you are in a single room.

I also forgot to mention that if you have a c-section, you have to go to one of the rooms which has the "monkey bar" facility, to enable you to get in and out of bed.

The midwife told me that when the new hospital is built, there will be more single rooms available. I am not sure when the new hospital is due to be finished though.

I have heard that the Westmead Private tends to have more agency nurses but that otherwise it is a lovely hospital.

All the best for your pregnancy!