Birmingham Womens Hospital
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Based on 1191 reviews
Reviews (1191)
Long waits for fertility treatment
Gynaecology
March 12, 2018
GP referred us here for fertility issues. Had one appointment which did screening for us both, but the next appointment was for 8 months later, and then cancelled and now isn't for a full year later. A year without treatment. The screening showed that need to seek urgent medical appointment.
Our GP has chased, but it's not changing. Hospital says it's staff shortage.
Our GP has chased, but it's not changing. Hospital says it's staff shortage.
Doctor and consultant didn't care
Gynaecology
March 7, 2018
Had an outpatients appointment and had been in extreme pain for weeks before it. Waited for over two hours to even be seen, and had been very uncomfortable in the waiting area, and was reduced to tears. When I was finally seen, Dr was very uncaring. She did an examination which was very painful and left me on the trolley undressed for 20 minutes on my own in an exam room. She went to ask the consultant to come and examine me, but the consultant refused to come. Dr eventually came back and told me to dress, and that they wouldn't do anything without further tests, which I'd have to wait months for. She offered a treatment that I had already tried before that hadn't worked. By this time I was extremely distressed as I was in a lot of pain, and she did nothing to try and calm me down. Just said they could do nothing and to go to A&E if I couldn't wait for the tests. Clearly this Dr hadn't had the proper training to speak to actual patients in that state, or human compassion.
Range of midwives & doctors = range of experi
Maternity
March 1, 2018
Being seen by different doctors and midwives meant inconsistent quality of care and friendliness
Nurse led appointment was good
Gynaecology
February 13, 2018
Attended the nurse led clinic and it was a world apart from the poor care I've received at the hospital previously. The clinic was on time, the nurse very knowledgeable and friendly and I felt confident in the care I was receiving. Just a shame it's so terrible elsewhere at this hospital.
Lack of communication and care
November 23, 2017
I was taken into the Birmingham Women's Hospital to be induced to have my baby. Upon labour I didn't know 'till many hours later but delivering my daughter caused an aortic dissection. I felt like an elephant was sat on my chest and I couldn't breathe. I was given Gaviscon for indigestion and put on a ward after bleeping a doctor numerous times. I wasn't taken seriously. After finally being observed now 4 hrs later I was taken to high dependency unit. There an ambulance took me to the QE as a CT scan showed an aortic dissection. I was an 80% fatality (risk) and had a 15 hr operation to fix me. If the Women's would have listened to me things might have been different but from lack of communication between staff and not listening to the patient - being myself. More care should be taken and the patients voice is the most important. Also acting quicker would be key.
Really excellent staff
April 13, 2017
Staff really helpful and friendly and services brilliant.
Great maternity care
Maternity
December 12, 2016
I was induced, and then gave birth to my daughter following a trip round the birth centre, delivery suite and theatre! All excellent though I did feel I perhaps could have been taken down to the birth centre sooner after my waters broke. After care was excellent too. The Bounty woman was ok but seemed surprised I didn't want photos taken (I'd been up all night, was still recovering from the effects of the spinal block and had sent my husband home for a nap). No one had pre-warned me about this and I was quite surprised she was able to just wander around the wards full of slightly dazed and knackered new mothers pushing them to buy photoshoots. That said if I'd had more warning I might have agreed. Child benefit forms were useful but being given a guide on labour and birth after I'd just gone through it was silly.
Excellent Maternity Service, Bounty intrusive
Maternity
November 16, 2016
I delivered my son on the Birth Centre and received fantastic support from staff. The space was clean, welcoming and calming and the Birth Pool had been prepared for me (although I didn't get chance to use it!). My midwife was reassuring and made sure that I was comfortable and happy with what was happening. My son failed his 'Pulse Ox' test, so was transferred to NeoNatal where he received a course of antibiotics - initially on the NeoNatal ward and then with me on the Post Natal ward. We had lots of support with feeding, nappy changes and bathing from staff.
Downsides include a visit from an overly assertive Bounty Rep, who warned me that I wouldn't be able to apply for Child Benefit until I took her pack of promo material. The last thing I needed when trying to bond with my son and establish breastfeeding was a massive pack of leaflets for expensive baby equipment. I would imagine that for mothers feeling vulnerable, insecure or worried about finances that shiny catalogues and adverts would be even more upsetting. It's time that these reps were kicked off wards for good.
I would have liked a bit more dedicated support to establish breastfeeding - a breastfeeding counsellor sitting with me and other mums for half an hour each day could have avoided the months of pain, discomfort and tears that followed!
Downsides include a visit from an overly assertive Bounty Rep, who warned me that I wouldn't be able to apply for Child Benefit until I took her pack of promo material. The last thing I needed when trying to bond with my son and establish breastfeeding was a massive pack of leaflets for expensive baby equipment. I would imagine that for mothers feeling vulnerable, insecure or worried about finances that shiny catalogues and adverts would be even more upsetting. It's time that these reps were kicked off wards for good.
I would have liked a bit more dedicated support to establish breastfeeding - a breastfeeding counsellor sitting with me and other mums for half an hour each day could have avoided the months of pain, discomfort and tears that followed!
Unacceptably long waiting times - 4 - 6 hours!
May 14, 2015
Whilst the service at the Women's Ante-natal departments is very good, the waiting times are outrageous. For each of my two pregnancies, I have found that waiting times are at least 4 hours and up to 6 hours. I have even had morning appointments (at 8:50am) which I had hoped would mean there wouldn't be a backlog/delay but I still had to wait 45 mins for my scan.
Very good service
July 15, 2014
Very good service all through pregnancy, good midwife care and good hospital stay.
