Question about public hospitals

**2011Mummy2Be** · 20-07-2010 22:52

Our bubba will be due around March/April next year. We're moving house in January. We're going public with our baby, and I know they generally make you go to the hospital closest to where you live. The hospital nearest to us now has a terrible reputation and I really really do not want to give birth there. The hospital near where we're moving is lovely. My friend used to work there and raved about their maternity ward, so would be very happy giving birth there. There's about a 20-30 minute drive between the two hospitals. My question is - will they make me go to the hospital near where I live now? If so, will I be able to change once I move house? We'd prefer to just go straight to the one in the new area, but not sure if they will let us book in there if we're not living in the area yet? Hope that makes sense. I'm going to check with the doctor when we go for our appointment next week, but I just really don't want to give birth at our local hospital, so wondering if anyone's had any experience?

**Timestwo** · 20-07-2010 22:56

You should be able to choose which hospital you go to.

I was a country patient and could choose to go to our closest hospital 4 hours away or down to Perth. I went to KEMH and they were fantastic

**headoverfeet** · 20-07-2010 22:59

Yep you should be able to go to which ever you want within reason, if your in between them at the moment you'll be fine.

**Guest1234** · 20-07-2010 23:04

You will be able to book into the hospital you want to. Give them a call and tell them you will be moving there and that you are prepared to drive the distance for antenatal appointments etc. Tell the referring doctor the same and he will refer you to that hospital rather than the one you don't want to go to.
If you are denied the ability to book into the hospital you want to birth at until you live closer, you are able to present to any public maternity hospital when you are in labour.