Frimley Park Hospital Labour Ward

Recently had my first baby here and I generally had a good experience.

Triage Staff are consistently helpful and supportive of patients reporting any doubts and anxieties I have called during out of hours and they had me come in in the middle of the night just to check up on baby's movements. They genuinely encouraged me to call and come if I feel any changes in baby's movements and I felt that I was not a bother at all.

As for when I started labour, I was immediately attended to in triage and prioritised according to my situation. During peak times such as handover times of doctors and midwives, delay in service happened, I waited a while for an anaesthetist to review my epidural. Coming from a healthcare background event though I was in so much pain and agony, I understand that these delays are due to prioritisation and short staffing.

Despite having a difficult labour, staff has been so attentive and caring. They were prompt at actioning in emergency situations which happened to us and managed to save my baby from danger.

During the early stages of my labour when I could still eat and drink comfortably, they manage to offer us beverages despite how busy they are. I just wish they had ice, as most women in labour are always hot.

Another improvement they can do is to have a simple couch for the birth partner inside the labour room as trying to rest on a chair was not helpful for the birth partner to recuperate.

Also, on the two occasions I was seen in their triage rooms, they didn't have any pillows ready on the trolley, I didn't ask for one the first time I was there as I didn't want to bother the staff too much but I'm sure they can give you one if you asked.

Overall a good experience and the main and most important thing is that their priority is you and your baby's safety and health which is what we experienced here at Frimley Park Hospital Labour Ward.

If anyone is struggling to find the location of labour ward, it's on the first floor to the left when you come out of the lift, next to the operating department.

Just like to say my daughter (inlaw) was on the labour ward last night and the support and care she received from midwife- nurse
Kate Watson and Jack anaesthetist was amazing- I know you were all at a loss on how to help her with medication (epidurals) not working how it should do..but you Kate kept us positive and we felt safe.
The difference when you had left was surely noted- and such a shame for my daughter to be in so much pain as a drug could not be given as was told there was no one to administor it- you Kate would of found them to take her out of the pain -if you were still on duty.
I watched her try to push on and off for 2half hour with a 6cm cervix in severe emotional pain until she finaly went to have an emergency cesarean .
Thankyou Kate Watson for all you did-