Westmead Private vs Westmead Public

**peach blossom** · 01-08-2008 09:56

hi,

for those that went into a public hospital as a private patient, did you still have to organise your own private OB (which charges the pregnancy management fee) or could you just get a midwife or OB on duty at the public hospital maternity/birthing units to do the delivery??
is there still a chance that you may have to pay some sort of "gap" to cover the doctors fee even if its a public hospital doctor/midwife just because your a "private" patient?
i know i would only have to pay the excess on my health fund for the hospital stay - but would i have to pay gap costs for the doctor too?

**Bronwyn** · 01-08-2008 21:37

Hi Peachblossom

If you went into a public hospital as a private patient and picked your own obstetrician you would have to pay the normal obs fees and also the excess for the hospital stay - if you were going to do that you might as well be in a private hospital

However if you chose to go as a public patient thru the midwife clinic then you won't have to pay a cent for anything but you don't get your choice of ob - normally just who is rostered on when you go into labour.

Nothing wrong with either way just what suits you.

**twisted sister** · 07-08-2008 15:37

So nice to here nice things said about westmead public.
I just had my son there but I also work there.

Yes its nice and new and very beautiful but still very busy.

**MumtoAva** · 10-08-2008 21:20

I had my daughter at Westmead Private 2 years ago and am due to have my 2nd there any day now

. If you have paid for private health insurance i'd strongly suggest that you use it, the only out of pocket expenses we incurred was for my Obs and once you hit the Medicare Safety Net you get more back (and if you're getting Family Assistance A the threshold is lower so you reach it sooner

).
I also got a bill from the anethesist for my epidural but you can also claim for a refund on that from Medicare so in all we weren't out of pocket that much. We also had to pay our health insurance xs.
When we got our statement from our health insurance provider to what they had been charged by the hospital it was in xs of $4000 so when you think of what you pay in premium each year it's such a good feeling knowing you're actually getting something from your health fund cause I don't know about you but we hardly claim anything so it was great to get something back.
I can't compare the hospitals cause I haven't been to Westmead Public but I was so happy with Westmead Private and couldn't fault them with anything.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy

**Jackie11** · 18-08-2008 21:22

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have booked myself in Westmead public as a private patient.
I understand my healthfund should cover the maternity cost if I choose to go with private. The only concern is that if my baby needs to go to special care nursery due there is any congenital problem, the healthfund does not cover.

**MumtoMackenzie** · 29-08-2008 17:13

I am booked into Westmead Public as a public...and i am seeing a specialist there...due to previouse complications....and i am so pleased to hear good things about them!!! Thanks again!!!

**twisted sister** · 29-08-2008 19:11

I saw Prof Trudinger at westmead public, was very happy with my care.

**MumtoMackenzie** · 01-09-2008 10:30

I am seeing Dr Athayde (started in his preconception clinic) so I see one of his crew and they all seem nice...can't thank Dr Athayde enough...he was able to sort out why I kept misscarring....so I have made it 17weeks...I am so pleased!!!

**NicholaG** · 05-09-2008 17:20

Does anyone know the names of any good obstetricians that deliver at Westmead Public Hospital?

**AnastasiaOZ** · 05-11-2008 21:08

Hi girls,

I am a new here and really need your HELP!!!
I am 11 weeks pregnant with my second baby. I had my first baby in WA, but we have now live in Sydney, Inner West and actually moving to the new suburb Stanhope Gardens (near Kellyville Ridge, Glenwood) next week. I have no idea about any hospitals, birth centres over there. Looked through your forum and thought that Westmead Public would be the best option for me (I don't have any health insurance) - got the refferal from my GP yestarday, called the Westmead today, and

they told me that they only take patients from the area. My suburb - Stanhope gardens is under Blacktown council, the next suburb (only a cross the road Bella Vista is under Baulkaham Hills) - so they would take someone from the Baulkahm Hills, but can't take people who are under Blacktwon council

I got so upsad and have no idea what to do next. Definately don't want to have a baby in the Blacktown hopsital, but what would be my other option? Looked at the Hills Private (looks like the closest one to me), but how much would it cost for non insured person? What would you suggest? Are there any other birth centres or public hospitals in the area close to me, which Im not aware of? Thanks for all your help!