University College Hospital : Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing

Mixed reviews: UCLH - had excellent service.EGA MFAU - Bad experience, careless people. Postnatal care in ward the worst. Horrible careless lazy midwives.. especially during night shift. Extremely scary as they are so rude...!! Maybe if lucky you only get 1 midwife/nurse being nice.Hospital nice but this Antenatal, MFAU, Postnatal, Labour Ward needs heavy improvement. More experienced staff, friendly kind staff should be in those departments. Hard times for patients doesn't help during this time.

Having my second baby just recently in the EGA wing, I am truly grateful for the highly professional and extremely caring and compassionate members of staff. I cannot praise the teams highly enough. I have been supported every step of the way, in every decision. My birth preferences were strongly followed and adhered to. Brilliant experience, thank you all!

We chose to give birth at UCLH due to good reviews and previous experience but had concerns about NHS care. The midwives at the beginning of labor were great (Maddison & MaryLou), but the experience deteriorated when another midwife took over without proper communication. There were threats of C-section and vacuum delivery, which were against the birth plan. The previous consultant explained already prior what worked best for me and baby and what improved my baby’s CTG. My husband felt disregarded when advocating for me. As if it is unusual now for husbands to be involved or speak on behalf of a women. A male doctor entered the room against my religious wishes. My preferred birthing position was not followed, and there was inadequate guidance for when to push/when I should (no prior warning). The wireless monitoring pads were incorrectly placed as well which I believe affected accurate readings.The postnatal ward experience was equally troubling. I felt that I was being monitored, not in a good way. The night-time staff offered little support. Moreover, I was kept in the hospital for two nights without a clear reason and was not updated on status, even though I had a normal vaginal delivery. This lack of transparency and communication added to frustration.The situation took a bizarre turn when the ward manager, Charlotte Slack, approached me exhausted, early in the morning whilst I was trying to bond with my baby and breastfeed. Charlotte's interaction turned into an unexpected interrogation about potential abuse at home based on something my husband had allegedly said. Turned out, they twisted what he said. This left me baffled and upset, leading to a confrontation. However, miraculously, I was discharged within hours after expressing my unhappiness with them.Upon leaving the ward, my husband faced further humiliation when a random doctor extended their arms as if to suggest that he was stealing our baby. Even though we were instructed to head to the exit doors and wait for hospital staff to escort us by a HCA, this incident caused further distress.The entire experience had a lasting impact on both myself and my husband. We have shed tears together over this experience. It has affected my husband's mental health, as he was deeply worried for his wife and baby, after many years of trying for our baby.I requested my medical records, only to discover false information in them. I also uncovered the real reason behind my extended stay: a senior nurse's decision to keep us for an additional night without my knowledge, for monitoring. The records indicated extended post-birth visits for 28 days, which I find ironic given the lack of care I received during my hospital stay. This revelation further emphasises the lack of transparency and proper communication throughout my experience.In conclusion, my experience serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting significant issues in patient care and communication within the healthcare system but in this regard UCLH as a whole. My story underscores the importance of advocating for one's rights and needs, especially during a vulnerable time like childbirth. The breakdown in communication, disregard for the birth plan, lack of transparency, and insensitive treatment had a profound impact on both myself and husband, leaving us with lasting emotional scars. It is a call for expecting parents to be vigilant in choosing their healthcare providers and to insist on the respectful and compassionate care they deserve.

Midwives are nice but not the most knowledgeable and do not make sufficient notes on record, appointments are mostly a waste of time. Blood pressure readings often wrong and need to be repeated- Maternal fetal emergency is the worst I've ever seen. Would advise going elsewhere for an emergency, completely incompetent- Highly uncoordinated, went around in circles trying to get a fit to fly, despite mid-wife asking me to come back to get it- Awful in arranging c-sec, make you wait as long as possible to get a date. Making it impossible to plan leave, childcare etc., despite multiple requests- Phlebotomy is hit and miss, one good blood test, 2 awful ones that left significant bruising- Good sonographers

My name is Minal and I was hospitalised at UCLH from 21st October 2023 until 28th October 2023 with a nasty infection. I was put on sepsis protocol and was eventually diagnosed with abscesses. The care and treatment I received from the time I arrived at A&E until I was discharged was exceptional.I was in such a bad state that I cannot remember all the names of the staff who looked after me, but I have to mention the nurse in A&E majors, Davinia Sabatier Guijarro, as she took care of me with a lot of kindness and compassion. She was brilliant!Eventually, I was admitted to Gynaecology ward and I was also looked after very well there. Some of the nurses who looked after me were Nurse Erlou, Nurse Sidikat, Nurse Jordine, Nurse Kauser, Nurse Bushirah, Nurse Antonio, Ward physio Bethany and many other nurses and healthcare assistants who I am very grateful to for the care and support they gave me whilst I was on that ward.The Gynaecology team led by Dr Aslam were fantastic and I feel that I am here and alive today because of them. My local hospital had sent me away with Trimethoprim and a wrong diagnosis just the previous day. Had I not gone to UCLH that Saturday evening, I wouldn't have made it, as my CRP was 400 and I was septic. Thank you to Dr Aslam and her team including Dr De Braud, Dr Tatiana, Dr Neha, Dr Julie, Dr Omar, Dr Hannah and everyone in that team. They saved my life.When I had my procedure to drain the abscess, the nurses were so supportive including nurse Kit and nurse Emma. There were other nurses in that room too, but I don't recall all the names. All were wonderful. I would not have got through that procedure without their words of support and encouragement, in particular Nurse Kit and Nurse Emma.I hope the above mentioned staff and anyone who looked after me reads this review. I am forever grateful to them

Mixed experience at UCLH EGA.I can echo a similar review by RM H. (Go down to * for the negative bit)Generally, antenatal care was good when you forget all the waiting around and one nurse who had zero people skills on a couple of occasions.We had a small baby. Most staff were caring and took a cautious zero tolerance approach. Which we were grateful for. We would have regular scans and couple of trips to MFAU.We went in to be induced on our due date. We were not induced until 36hours, so do not go in thinking it’s game, set and match.A 5/5 for the lovely team who assisted with the induction prior to going to the labour ward during labour. We had about 4 midwives Celia, Anna (who delivered, assisted by student, Jessica) and Obeni and Phung (post labour). All were great and had slightly different styles and advice.We had a very difficult last 30mins of labour. I could tell Rosie (doctor I think) by the way she was looking at Anna it was becoming critical. Thankfully, mum was oblivious and high on adrenaline and pain relief medicine. We got there in the and my partner delivered a beautiful baby girl. But it does bring to my concern and of where the level of care dipped with the theatre staff (not the midwives).Unfortunately, my partner was unable to deliver the placenta and it was stuck. I appreciate that this can be very dangerous if it is not removed soon after baby.*I think her name was Sargita who waved a two page document (attached) in partners face telling that she needs to read, add comments and sign a consent for the placenta to be manually removed. Moreover, that we needed to do it now because that there was about to be a shift change. Yes, you read correct. She emphasised not my partners safety but being able to bring the new shift team up to speed on events. Anna (midwife) tried to buy us more time and tried her best help my partner deliver the placenta. But to no avail. I really wanted to step in more but did not want to stress my partner any more arguing with the medical “professional”. I asked, is this necessary now. Without any compassion, Sargita said we cannot go to theatre without it.I strikes me as very odd that in the maternity ward of a hospital a woman who had just given birth would be refused treatment if it was to become life threatening. So, my partner signed the form under duress. The removal seems to have been successful (time will tell). However, my partner lost a lot of blood. Most skin-to-skin was with me (father) and breastfeeding was a slow start. 4 hours later, back from theatre, even more exhausted and traumatised my partner had to try and breastfeed. It was like a weird experiment. It was horrible holding my reborn baby cry for food and just as painful seeing how helpless and out of it my partner was.Even over a week later, the consent form is still not a quick read and there are many questions I still have, and I was not exhausted from not eating for 24hrs, fatigued from the trauma of giving birth and high on pain relief medication. One must question the ethics of asking a woman under such unique conditions to read a complex document and sign it under so much pressure and duress. One may even go as to far as to question whether permission was truly given. It really felt like this was more about insurance for the hospital and should be reviewed.We were in hospital another two days to recover and my partner had to be put on a drip for iron deficiency because of the blood loss.There definitely could be better communication checking-in and out of hospital. We thought we were coming in, in the day. Turned out to night because of a lack of beds. This meant starting induction practices such as sweeping followed by an hour bouncing on a ball then walking around for an hour right before my partner was already tired and ready to sleep. On the last day, we were told we were leaving soon so my partner stayed awake but we did not leave for about 12 hours at 2200h. So we got in late, tired and unrested which made the first night home very rough.

Used as many induction drugs as possible .to save money for the trust on Elective C sections.Very long painful complex labour.No consultants on duty.Low staff and low morale .Have been left sadly with a child with hypoxic brain damage. And of course ! They are trying everything in the book not to accept any liability !

My experience in the maternity unit at UCLH has been exceptional.In the 20th week of my pregnancy my daughter was diagnosed with a CPAM, so we were referred to the FMU. In the FMU we were seen by Dr. Daniel Stott, who was amazing to deal with.Dr. Stott helped us at all times and was very professional and concerned about my daughter's health even after the birth.The entire FMU team kept us fully informed of our baby's health from the very beginning and were able to reassure us in difficult moments.We also had a very good experience in the delivery room, where we were attended by the midwife Marta and a great student trainee (whose name, unfortunately, I can't remember). My birth plan was respected at all times. In addition, as they knew that my daughter could have breathing difficulties at birth due to CPAM, they agreed to bring in the paediatric team at the end of labour as a precaution so that they could assist her if necessary.The same night my daughter was born, the medical team at UCLH made every effort to transfer her to Great Ormond Street Hospital where she was operated on within 48 hours of birth and the CPAM cyst was removed.7 months later my daughter is healthy and happy. Eternally grateful to the maternity team at UCLH.

I had an amazing experience with both antenatal and postnatal care, professional, kind and caring staff. Midwives were absolutely amazing. My contractions took longer than expected, so we stayed through 3 midwife shifts (Holly, Valentina, Ellie assisted by students), and they all looked after me excellently! They were so caring!!!! This was my first birth and me and my husband cannot be more thankful for how well they looked after us.We don't live close to the hospital, and communication with midwives when my contractions started was also really good.I ended up having forceps in the early afternoon and midwives stayed with us since beginning of their shift, during and after operation, came to see us to postnatal care and were happy to come and see us again if we wanted.Postnatal care was equally great. I was given a lot of information on how to look after my baby and myself due to having forceps. Postnatal care had a lovely volunteer lady who changed my bed sheets, filled up my water bottle, and had a chat.I was supported very well during the night. Staff was attentive anytime I asked for help or rang my bell.Discharge was done fast, and we were told to take time to get baby ready, pack, and then we were escorted to main entrance.We are definitely coming back if we are lucky to have a second baby.

I am very happy that I came here during my pregnancy. despite problems during pregnancy, I received great support from the midwives Giorgia Anna Agata Hibak Michaela are such wonderful women whose positive energy improved my mood every day. all the doctors also supported me very much, Dr. Clarine Dr. Rafael - they were my angels. Another month my baby was in the NICU. Everyone, the entire staff was extremely professional, extremely helpful, and they also supported me mentally every day in such a difficult situation. there are no words to express how grateful I am to all of them. I sincerely recommend this hospital to everyone and I would like my second pregnancy to be carried out in this hospital as well