Private vs Public in Newcastle area [Archive] - Bub Hub Pregnancy & Parenting Forum

chickenfoot83

03-10-2010, 22:33

I had Denise Nesbitt (Newcastle private) and thought she was just lovely but had heard mixed reviews on her, Horrible waiting room waits but I think you get that everywhere. I was induced and she was fantastic loved my whole labour experience and she played a big part in that. The only thing I didnt like with private was the hospital stay dont get me wrong I loved the private room but the nurses contradict alot I found this so frustrating I was so ready to get out of there thats the only reason I would question going private again. Also I had Jillian spilsberry for my U/S and have heard she is a lovely OB. Good luck with it all!
She was $2000 upfront we where around $800 out of pocket.

RmumR

03-10-2010, 22:54

i am having this bub at jhh but doing gp shared care for the pregnancy. from the experience i've had so far at jhh -been there a dozen times this preg due to hypermesis i would def go private if i were to have another.
i get told a different thing each time i am there by each diffetent dr and end up having to get my gp to call the head of obstetrics to find out whats really going on cause i can never get a straight answer from jhh.

smrf3t

07-10-2010, 20:51

Hi

Just wondering if anyone can recommend OB's in the Newcastle area?

We are contemplating if private vs public is the best option, I have top health cover so just wondering what the out-of-pocket (or even upfront) costs are likely to be if we chose private..

Is public at JHH a good option?

:)

well there is a ob in east maitland his names Dr Mcgrath, i've heard good stories about him, and i have seen him once in april , we were having troubles falling pregnant, and he recommended i do the die thru my tubes, and voila i am now 5 weeks pregnant, i see my Gp tomorro and will be going to see him as soon as i can :) hope this helps
i am also tossing up weather to go public or private. or even private patient in public system, which gives u ur own choice of OB.

Roopee

11-10-2010, 13:02

If you are anywhere near Maitland there is an OB there Dr Andy Woods- who I have heard is amazing!

You are lucky to live in this area, you have SO many options available to you. You can go private, with your choice (mostly) of OB, you can go to the JHH or Maitland for a public birth, you can go to the JHH birth centre for a public funded midwife led birth or you can either go to Belmont Birth centre, for a midwife model of care OR they will come to YOU for a publicly funded homebirth!!
Or a self funded homebirth with an independent midwife...................

All you have to do is decide what model of care suits you, pick one and have a baby:D

Cromo

11-10-2010, 13:25

Sorry i'm not much help here but I had my 2 bubs @ JHH (public). Each experience was different.
First time I went through the midwives @ Belmont and was meant to birth there but ended up getting transferred to JHH. Was out 4 hours after giving birth to DD. (My choice, they wanted me to stay, being my first bub)

Second time I went through the student midwives @ JHH, had visits at Belmont (again public). Usual wait times, think only once they were on time. You get that most places I suppose. Laboured at JHH. Had to stay in hospital as I had a catheter in (lost a bit of blood and had clots)
Had doctors come around and check me out. Always a different doctor each time, but that didn't bother me.
Some of the midwives were cranky (mostly the older ones) and when I didn't breastfeed my treatment from the older ones was not terrible, but they weren't the nicest to me! :no:

If we have a 3rd baby, we will definately go private. We didn't with DD or DS because we only have Extras Health Insurance and was too late to add the Hospital.
I saw my "regular" student midwife the majority of the time, but some visits I had another student. And it was frustrating them going through ALL my information again!
I had no problem with them being students, they need to learn somehow.

Having experienced going in as a public patient @ JHH, not paying any fees it was convenient for us but I didn't have my own room, had to share with another lady and all she did the whole time was whinge and whine about EVERYTHING!!! (And she neglected to tell the midwives she had herpes on her hands until AFTER they would change her cannula and stuff like that!!!)
It made me stressed and frustrated having to listen to her for 3 days!

In saying that, all hospitals will be different, different patients etc

digsynat

12-10-2010, 10:49

Cromo, sounds like that woman was a right pain!

I visited the GP this morning and he has given some guidance between the 2 options and we have decided on a combined GP / JHH option over the OB. He is going to refer me over to JHH around 13 weeks but still keep seeing him etc as well.

He reckons JHH has the best antenatal unit in the state for a straightforward pregnancy (I find a little hard to believe that it beats Westmead Childrens? Not that I have been there but have a friend who works there).

The GP also put a caveate that if there are any complications, he will be sending me private and off to a OB to take over. Guess he has an OB that he can get people into at a late stage??

I am currently booked into Denise Nesbitt but not sure if to cancel or hold off until my next GP visit which will be the 11 week stage - same time as she would like to see me. These decisions are hard!

hamlady

12-10-2010, 10:53

Jhh was an amazing midwife experience so beautiful!!! The stay in the quad share rooms not so nice but I would not pay $$$$ for a private room in the private hospital I stayed two nights next time I will go straight home!!

TripleTime

12-10-2010, 10:58

I had my lot at JHH with a public OB after starting private with Oliver Brown. Can not fault JHH at all or Oliver Brown at NPH.

Josh

24-10-2010, 22:06

I had 10 of my 11 kids at john hunter and they were really good to us except my last 3 kids, the midwives were a little harsh on me and sometimes rude, probably because of the amount of kids that i had, and I dont know why this happened, but I would go to NPH if i had anymore kids.:yes:

RmumR

24-10-2010, 22:35

i had my DD in syd at royal womens and they were great.
this preg i am booked at JHH. i started doing gp shared care which i loved but due to being so sick with HG i have to do Dr's clinic at JHH now.
it took a lot of calls from my gp and trips to delivery suite before i got the care that i
needed.
the waiting times in clinic are 2+ hours which is not fun.
ive booked into maitland private for post-natal so will transfer there a few hours after bubs is born as i want a private room and as our PHI covers it thought whynot

Roopee

25-10-2010, 07:48

Cromo

25-10-2010, 14:47

There are rude m/wives and Dr's everywhere- it just depends on the day I think.

Do you think you'll birth in the birth centre or delivery suites? If you want to go in the birth centre give the JHH a call and arrange to see the midwives there- you can either have your appointments at Belmont(and still birth at JHH) OR JHH (Which ever is more convenient for you).....

Good Luck with your pregnancy and birth:highfive:

Have to agree with the day comment. While I was in JHH some of the midwives were great, at night mostly I would get the cranky ones.

I did my appointments at Belmont. Got to see my midwife most visits. Planned on birthing in the birth centre @ JHH but ended up in the delivery suite.

digsynat

29-10-2010, 12:10

Hoping to do the birthing centre, I rang up the other day and they advised me to get the referral across asap. My GP wanted to see me to do the referral and since my next appointment with him is not far away, I declined to do a visit just for that. He can do it at the next appointment.

Been thinking of ditching him cause he just seems to be in it for the $$ rather than the care. Like, he knows that he is going to refer me across, we have discussed it at each of the last 3 appointments so why does he need to see me to do the paperwork side of things that JHH only need faxed across. Sounds strange and he will be gone if he stuffs me around at the next appointment. Rather spend 2 hours in a waiting room at the hospital than pay $$ for him to do nothing. Plus, good time to catch up on my reading lol

narahel

26-01-2011, 12:39

RmumR

26-01-2011, 14:13

narachel ill send you a pm how to do it once i get a few mins without bub in my arms

mimsie

26-01-2011, 16:55

I know this thread is old but just wanted to add I have complicated circumstances and am public with JHH - started with shared care but have switched to a midwife clinic catering for my issues. Have had nothing but lovely experiences so far - Im 32 weeks now. I haven't done the stay part yet, but antenatal has been unreal so far.

Westmead children's doesn't do antenatal, it's just at westmead. My experience there with DD for antenatal was horrible - and there was little concern for complications, I got more attention for those in a small country hospital.

digsynat

27-01-2011, 09:01

Hi!

We have just started our care with the midwives in the JHH Birthing Centre who are just lovely. So passionate about their jobs which is great!

Ditched the GP shared care after some back experiences thus far during the pregnancy with him. Plus he wrote a bad comment on the re-referral to JHH cause he didn't do it right the first time, not about me but more the fact he needed to fill in a form he believed he didn't have to do.

Now on the hunt for a new GP in the Port Stephens area :)

narahel

27-01-2011, 10:11

there is a great woman GP at salamander centre, Sarah Freedman I think her name is
saw her when I was up there visiting my partner as he lives and works there and she was very pleasant listened well and quick to help

tarly82

06-02-2011, 20:59

digsynat:
an excellent gp is Ros Leitch at shoal bay medical centre. she is a close family friend of ours and has been my gp since i moved back to the bay at 20 weeks ( im now 33 weeks). the only problem is that she is extemely popular and so it can be hard getting an appointment with her. If you are happy with a male GP her husband Don works there too and is also really great. he explains everything really easily and in lamans terms and they are both very calming people.

might i ask :how far along are you?
I have been so bored since moving here as i dont know anyone, especially other preg mums to gassbag with. would be great to meet one day :D
Are you doing the antenatal classes at the nelson bay polyclinic? i know there are classes on the 19th feb. if your interested just give the JHH antenatal education center a call and they can book you in.
would love to see you there :)

summerbubba

24-05-2011, 14:28

Even though this thread is a bit old i need advice too!!!

I am doing shared care with my GP and have thought about going to the JHH birth centre. Having an appointment with my GP tommorrow so i will ask some more questions about how it will work.

Went private with my DS in Brisbane, this time around thought we would save some $$ as some of my mums group friends have had good experiences at JHH. Still tossing up whether i want my own OB..i am feeling rather lost, havnt seen my GP since my pregnancy was confirmed! I am 15 weeks now. Had my scans though.

Any advice would be great!

87687623 Questions

07-09-2011, 19:53

Hi there,

Realise this is a fairly old feed but perhaps someone could help answer some of my questions.

I'm from the Newcastle area and am looking at having a baby in the next 12 months (hopefully!). I am extremely torn at the moment in regards to what kind of cover I should get or whether to go private/public, etc.

I have been seeing OB Dr Hicks in Kotara (who has been my gyny) who is fantastic but the fee is $2500, then more for additional visits, ultra sounds, etc. And very little gets reimbursed through medicare/private health.

I was also looking at Belmont Midwifery group practice, who I have heard great things about and encourage a more natural outlook on the whole pregnancy/birth and if there are any issues, would be transferred to JHH.

My other option is to stay at JHH under private cover.

Would anyone be able to give me any additional information/opinions/advice on these options? Also, any information re out of pocket expenses I would be looking at if I did go with my OB would be great as well. I currently have private health insurance through NIB,

Thanks :wave:

mimsie

07-09-2011, 19:58

Louise is a midwife who does Belmont and she is unreal she was my middie at JHH. That's all I know about it though, lol. I had great antenatal care public through JHH and had Prof. Symonds as my OB. Couldn't fault them! Postnatal was fine staff wise but I hated the actual hospital stay part ( 3rd caesar 48 hours, my choice could have stayed 5 days) but that's a fairly generic hospital issue not specific to here. I loved having my baby there though :)

Cromo

07-09-2011, 20:20

Think I had Louise for one or two of my visits at Belmont when I was pregnant with DD.

87687623 Questions

07-09-2011, 20:26

I have a friend who dealth with another midwife there and they have been highly recommended. I have also spoken with them over the phone and they seemed lovely. I suppose my issue would be if I did have complications and was needing to go to the hospital, etc..

mimsie

07-09-2011, 20:29

Louise is a bit full on and um, full of energy? lol but she gives a hoot, if that makes sense. She listens, and she even called me when I was home to see how everything went as she'd been away the weekend we had little T. When I nearly got sent for an induction at 40 weeks exactly she was excellent in jumping in and getting it sorted for me, and gave me her personal number in case any other dramas came up. I loved her.

87687623 Questions

07-09-2011, 20:32

Thanks for that info :)

Were you associated with other midwives from the beginning as well?

mimsie

07-09-2011, 20:38

I saw a few but Louise was a 'floater' originally, filling in as I was in a specialist midwife group called Yemaya (for vbacs and/or midwife care instead of docs after caesars - I didn't go into labour hence the 3rd one). So the other middies I saw were all in that group. Mine went on sick leave fairly early into my experience so I saw the other 3 once each and then Louise for the last couple of months exclusively. In general though the midwives were all lovely and post natal midwives were helpful when I needed it. Wendy on post natal is lovely too, she was also one of my at home midwives.

I have heard only good things about Belmont in general and I think if you're in a low risk group and don't expect problems etc, it could be a really great option. I live in town so JHH birth centre would have been the option here (slightly different rooms, with baths, in the same place as delivery suites).

Melzey

07-09-2011, 20:46

Ok so there are lots of posts so I didn't have a chance to read them all BUT. I am seeing Dr Ljiljana Miljkovic, she is also Newcastle private. She isn't cheap but has it's always a relief to see hunter area health uniforms in the waiting room, she must be doing something right. Also, my mum was a theatre nurse (recently retired) and worked with a number of the ob's and Ljiljana was her pick.. I always found her to be great when I was pregnant with DD. We only had an extended wait once - and she was delivering a baby so can't be helped ;)

I looked into public this time, but decided against it. Personally (I reiterate, me personally) i have heard of a few bad experiences at Maitland BUT I would have gone JHH anyway because if anything goes wrong that's where they will send you and bub. My SIL is a midwife and she believes in the "midwifery group practices" there is one that runs from JHH if you wanted to go with midwife care - but didn't suit for us. They were a bit too worried about the all natural part and I am more worried about the all safe part.. I feel like there are two totally different schools of thought, and I prefer the one my OB uses which focuses on doing what we need to do to get baby here safely - but she also listened to what I wanted and where safe and possible was happy to work with that as well.

All the best with this decision. I found it really hard this time because of the money situation but am glad I went back to my OB. My friend is 37 weeks and has so far only seen GP's at the jhh so that kinda worried me a bit too.

Cromo

08-09-2011, 19:58

I started laboring at Belmont with DD but ended up getting transferred to JHH as her heart rate was going up and down.
Went straight to JHH with DS. Did the student midwife clinic. Visits were at Belmont.
Our thinking with DS was we might Aswell go straight to JHH and felt reassured because they have the NICU and can treat the babies straight (if anything happened. Thankfully we had a healthy baby)

feliz

19-10-2011, 19:49

hey all.
Im also trying to decide if i should go public/ private. i live about one hour from newcastle private- is it realistic have that as my preferred option? is it realistic to travel one hour to ob appointments? i went to my gp to confirm my pregnancy. he said he doesnt do ante natal care and that was about the end of that. left me feeling a little bit on my own and unsure of what to do now.