Public vs Private

lazygal

Now that Mount Carmel is gone, I can safely say there is no difference in being public or private when it comes to labour and delivery in Dublin hospitals. If you're not in active labour but need to be admitted you'll be on a public ward in Holles St, whether you're public, private or semi private. You're also in the same delivery suite no matter what your status is. I think that's only fair. I was a fully private patient waiting on an elective section and I had to wait as more urgent cases took priority, which is right and proper. No public patients should be made wait for a theatre slot so a less urgent private case can be seen.

The only anecdotal thing I have heard is a delay in epidural for public patients.

Chattastrophe!

lazygal wrote: »

Now that Mount Carmel is gone, I can safely say there is no difference in being public or private when it comes to labour and delivery in Dublin hospitals. If you're not in active labour but need to be admitted you'll be on a public ward in Holles St, whether you're public, private or semi private. You're also in the same delivery suite no matter what your status is. I think that's only fair. I was a fully private patient waiting on an elective section and I had to wait as more urgent cases took priority, which is right and proper. No public patients should be made wait for a theatre slot so a less urgent private case can be seen.

The only anecdotal thing I have heard is a delay in epidural for public patients.

Interesting ... I was public in Holles St, my epidural was delayed, which made for a not-so-pleasant birth experience, as I was already in labour but they gave me Oxytocin anyways, so it was all very very fast! The epidural kicked in when the placenta was being delivered. :rolleyes:

detoxkid

I'm in galway and going public. I'm 28 weeks pregnant, nervous and have had some minor scares which thankfully turned out to be nothing. I've had 4 scans at no cost. I was admitted as an inpatient because they were worried about something and kept for 4 nights until they were completely satisfied that all was good. I'm under midwife led care but have been referred to the consultant straight away where they were concerned. So the only difference I can see is that you have the possibility of a single or shared room. The shared ward was not great... I didn't sleep much and wasn't particularly comfortable there but lessons learned, invest in ear plugs and an eye mask. Maybe I've just been lucky but the treatment I've got has been second to none. I feel in safe hands and can't imagine much difference if I was paying 3k for the pleasure.

matban

We had 2 kids

First private, second public

Was not impressed with private care over public, did not see much difference, was not worth the €2,500

imho you would be better off public, put the money into a college fund instead

Jerrica

I'm private in the Rotunda. As has been mentioned already waiting room comfort and consistency with the obstetrician I see has been the main benefit so far, and I have to say it's been worth it. Our appointments are very timely, the waiting rooms are pleasant, it's lovely to always see the same face to speak to and it's creating a really positive association for me with the hospital.

dustie1

I'm private in Mayo General. Have to say so far I think its worth every penny. All appointments are in consultants office so dont have to wait in overcrowded hospital. Waiting is 10mins tops, plus I see midwife first who checks vitals +BP and bloods on regular basis. Always get scanned by consultant at every visit and have peace of mind knowing everything is going ok. Also having the same consultant see you at every visit is great as you develop a trust with them with for a very nervous and high risk ftm is brilliant. When I compare my experience to friends in UCH in particular there's a big difference, long waits, v overcrowded rooms (not enough chairs), re-telling any risks or problems over and over. If your low risk and not anxious/easygoing then public is fine, its down to personal circumstances, i'm making a lot of sacrifices to pay this as OH isnt working but i've no regrets

SmokeyEyes

Semi Private in Rotunda, was told before by many people I know who had gone private to not bother as the consultant never ended up being there for any of the births.

We're loving semi-private so far, it's much more relaxed in the semi-private building, you can get appointments on Weds evenings so your partner can always be there, I'm getting the same midwife pretty much every time but 1 of 3 consultants, have only met one so far which was the master of the Rotunda so felt in very safe hands. Regularly get bp and urine checked and have had a load of scans including an anomaly can which I can't believe some hospitals don't even offer but that's another story! I've had a few appointments in the main hospital and everyone was very nice but find the overall experience of semi-private much more relaxed and less hectic.

GT_TDI_150

When my OH was pregnant with our first one we went private ... and the funny thing is ... depending on the availability, the one think that attracted us to going private, having 'your own'/one specialist, is far from guaranteed.

Our specialist arrived for the last 5mins of our sons' birth as he had gone home for his dinner.

I know of people whose specialist happened to be on hols when they delivered ...

If 'your specialist' is involved in another case, you will be treated by whoever is available in the hospital, no less qualified, just not the person you have build a trust up with.

Now I know there will be more scans, etc when you go private but if you are paying for the piece of mind having 'your' specialist, you could be dissapointed.

Millem

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

When my OH was pregnant with our first one we went private ... and the funny thing is ... depending on the availability, the one think that attracted us to going private, having 'your own'/one specialist, is far from guaranteed.

Our specialist arrived for the last 5mins of our sons' birth as he had gone home for his dinner.

I know of people whose specialist happened to be on hols when they delivered ...

If 'your specialist' is involved in another case, you will be treated by whoever is available in the hospital, no less qualified, just not the person you have build a trust up with.

Now I know there will be more scans, etc when you go private but if you are paying for the piece of mind having 'your' specialist, you could be dissapointed.

My MIL went private in holles street on both of her children and her consultant wasn't at either birth! I would be raging if I had paid the guts of €4000

lazygal

And my consultant was present at both deliveries, did the c sections and provided all aftercare. Actually returned from a weekend away to deliver my second, and I was told of holiday times when booking in. I was assigned to another consultant when mine was away so I found good continuity of care.

polydactyl

Moonbeam wrote: »

No where else in the country is advanced as Holles St for emergencies.

I am sorry but that is not true. Having worked in all three maternity hospitals in Dublin and have had dealing with CUMH too all four are of an excellent standard and Holles St is in no circumstances better than the rest.

In fact its facilities and theatres etc are the oldest of the four, you need to pass through the canteen if you are bringing a baby into the NICU etc.

The Non Consultant Hospital doctors are the same in all the hospitals and the consultants are all of the same standard.

After these four yes there are steps down in level of expertise but these four are basically the same.

As a doc myself I went private as I wanted to be in and out of my appointments quickly and I liked the idea of my own room after. In the Coombe there has not been a day this year when the private ward has been full to overflow with just private patients even with the Mount Carmel patients, so semi privates with appropriate cover have been getting private rooms too some times. Holles St and the Rotunda have less private rooms than the Coombe but there is still much less of an issue in getting rooms there than previously either due to ppl dropping health insurance.

If you or your baby are sick you will get the same care no matter what in any of the hospitals. Private v SP v public really boils down to what level of comfort you want.

Chattastrophe!

polydactyl wrote: »

In fact its facilities and theatres etc are the oldest of the four, you need to pass through the canteen if you are bringing a baby into the NICU etc.

One route is through the canteen but you don't need to go that way.

When my baby was in NICU I was allowed and encouraged to visit him at absolutely any time, that counted for a lot (I was a public patient.) Even if I did have to go through the canteen every time (and I didn't), would it really have mattered?

I have full faith that my baby was in good hands, and even though I have VHI, I don't believe that going private would have been of any benefit to me - I'd rather save that money for my son's future.

Penny Dreadful

polydactyl wrote: »

In the Coombe there has not been a day this year when the private ward has been full to overflow with just private patients even with the Mount Carmel patients, so semi privates with appropriate cover have been getting private rooms too some times. QUOTE]

Fingers crossed I'll get lucky in October!

Actually the woman I spoke to in the Coombe mentioned this as a possibility to me when I was booking in and I was reluctant to believe her. Not wanting to get my hopes up and all that.
It would be great it it worked out that way.
Long long way to go until I get to caring about that right now.:)

polydactyl

Chattastrophe! wrote: »

One route is through the canteen but you don't need to go that way.

When my baby was in NICU I was allowed and encouraged to visit him at absolutely any time, that counted for a lot (I was a public patient.) Even if I did have to go through the canteen every time (and I didn't), would it really have mattered?
.

If you are the medical staff bringing the baby up in the incubator etc you cannot go the other way actually.

As I said if you are sick or your baby as you stated there is absolutely no difference in how you are treated. Going private is for maternal comfort only.

Sligo1

polydactyl wrote: »

As I said if you are sick or your baby as you stated there is absolutely no difference in how you are treated. Going private is for maternal comfort only.

I'm not saying I disagree with you as a huge part of going private is of course for maternal comfort. But here's an honest question. I agree if mother or baby are sick etc you will get the same care and all. However, in your experience do you not think that continuity of care is also sometimes factor in how well a person is treated and followed up? Otherwise why are we always banging on about continuity of care in hospital wards and OPDs etc? This continuity of care is not just about maternal comfort and is sometimes somewhat lacking in the public system compared to private and semi private no?

dustie1

Have to agree with Sligo1 on this one. Yes you will get same care if something's wrong. But while the extra scans are not considered "medically necessary" with private they are much better for finding any issue early so you can get treated faster. friends who have gone public have paid extra for additional scans but they arent always done by consultants/experienced sonographers who'll spot an issue.

polydactyl

Sligo1 wrote: »

However, in your experience do you not think that continuity of care is also sometimes factor in how well a person is treated and followed up? Otherwise why are we always banging on about continuity of care in hospital wards and OPDs etc? This continuity of care is not just about maternal comfort and is sometimes somewhat lacking in the public system compared to private and semi private no?

Absolutely i do agree that continuity of care provides the optimum level of care. As I stated I myself am going private and do love the fact that my consultant knows all about me and I dont have to explain each time and having been a reg taking the history each time from a patient who has maybe given it before i can see how frustrating that is.

However what I meant by my comment about it being for Maternal comfort I meant in terms of physical and mental comfort. If you have a bog standard textbook pregnancy then the continuity of care becomes less vital....it of course still exists as notes are taken and charts are available....but in those cases when the care needs the extra level of involvement from the docs due to illness i think that is provided regardless of public/private.

Chattastrophe!

dustie1 wrote: »

Have to agree with Sligo1 on this one. Yes you will get same care if something's wrong. But while the extra scans are not considered "medically necessary" with private they are much better for finding any issue early so you can get treated faster. friends who have gone public have paid extra for additional scans but they arent always done by consultants/experienced sonographers who'll spot an issue.

I went public, and I couldn't even tell you how many scans I had because there were so many (and this was for an uncomplicated pregnancy.) I had quite a few in the first trimester (to sort out dates), and a scan at every appointment after that, and "big" scans at 20 weeks and 39 weeks. At the 39 week scan, she even gave us some amazing 3D photos (this was all public care, and we didn't even ask for it - actually I didn't even know that they had the facilities in Holles St for that!)

Millem

Chattastrophe! wrote: »

I went public, and I couldn't even tell you how many scans I had because there were so many (and this was for an uncomplicated pregnancy.) I had quite a few in the first trimester (to sort out dates), and a scan at every appointment after that, and "big" scans at 20 weeks and 39 weeks. At the 39 week scan, she even gave us some amazing 3D photos (this was all public care, and we didn't even ask for it - actually I didn't even know that they had the facilities in Holles St for that!)

Same here! It actually got to the stage where we were like "ah we are actually grand for scans as I didn't want to trek into town" lol

Sligo1

Chattastrophe! wrote: »

I went public, and I couldn't even tell you how many scans I had because there were so many (and this was for an uncomplicated pregnancy.) I had quite a few in the first trimester (to sort out dates), and a scan at every appointment after that, and "big" scans at 20 weeks and 39 weeks. At the 39 week scan, she even gave us some amazing 3D photos (this was all public care, and we didn't even ask for it - actually I didn't even know that they had the facilities in Holles St for that!)

I think a lot of people in public have had a lot of scans. But I think the main thing is that this is not always avaliable and is not standard in all hospitals. I have heard of a lot of people who went public in holles st and got a mini scan at every appointment but likewise I have heard of a lot of people who only had a couple scans throughout their whole pregnancy. I spose it's just not something that can be 100% relied on that you will get a scan at every appointment when you go public.

Here on this thread I think someone mentioned that they went public and saw the same doctor at every single appointment. That again would really be the exception and not the rule in public.

I'm not advocating either private or public btw . Just stating the facts.

Millem

Sligo1 wrote: »

I think a lot of people in public have had a lot of scans. But I think the main thing is that this is not always avaliable and is not standard in all hospitals. I have heard of a lot of people who went public in holles st and got a mini scan at every appointment but likewise I have heard of a lot of people who only had a couple scans throughout their whole pregnancy. I spose it's just not something that can be 100% relied on that you will get a scan at every appointment when you go public.

Here on this thread I think someone mentioned that they went public and saw the same doctor at every single appointment. That again would really be the exception and not the rule in public.

I'm not advocating either private or public btw . Just stating the facts.

Anytime I was in holles street they gave everyone a scan at appointments. One day I was there in casualty and the morning clinic rolled into the afternoon slot as there was only one doctor scanning and they were scanning everyone. I know in drogheda they don't even do an anomaly scan!

Sligo1

Millem wrote: »

Anytime I was in holles street they gave everyone a scan at appointments. One day I was there in casualty and the morning clinic rolled into the afternoon slot as there was only one doctor scanning and they were scanning everyone. I know in drogheda they don't even do an anomaly scan!

Yes the majority of people who I have heard who are public and in holles st have had a scan at nearly every appt. I'm not sure if its the same in rotunda or Coombe. I think in the country hospitals the scans are minimal for public patients in comparison to the likes of Holles St.

Millem

Sligo1 wrote: »

Yes the majority of people who I have heard who are public and in holles st have had a scan at nearly every appt. I'm not sure if its the same in rotunda or Coombe. I think in the country hospitals the scans are minimal for public patients in comparison to the likes of Holles St.

I don't know anything about the rotunda or the coombe either! I think it is hard to get a private room though in holles street now. I know a girl who was private there in November, first baby and had to have surgery after labour, she spent 3 days in a normal ward. I think 6 beds. They were so busy that the added another 2 beds into the middle of the ward. The week before I had my babs they did this too according to dinner lady and the beds had no curtains!

lazygal

Millem wrote: »

I don't know anything about the rotunda or the coombe either! I think it is hard to get a private room though in holles street now. I know a girl who was private there in November, first baby and had to have surgery after labour, she spent 3 days in a normal ward. I think 6 beds. They were so busy that the added another 2 beds into the middle of the ward. The week before I had my babs they did this too according to dinner lady and the beds had no curtains!

I got a private room both times. A nurse told me September is a very busy time but I still got a private room after one night on a semi private ward. When I was in unit three extra beds were added but only for a few hours, I was sharing a cubicle but not for.very long.

dustie1

Perhaps its more a Dublin hospital vs rest of country thing?? In general, outside Dublin there is only 1-2 scans given in most of the hospitals. In Galway a lot of people told me they only got one scan in entire pregnancy for uncomplicated. And I've a friend with high BP and she got no extra scans despite being high risk

Tordelback

My wife went private twice (back when we both had decent jobs, deep sigh), and when we were refelcting on the experience we decided that the main benefit was quick, convenient, frequent appointments. Because we could pick appointment times, and because we never had to wait more than the 20 minutes, we could both attend, which was nice (for me). The time away from work for both of us was minimal, the childcare was easy to arrange, and there was no stress. You were paying for convenience, and in the days of Mt. Carmel at least, a pleasant environment and a canteen with a leafy view of the mountains. Which is all fine, if you have the dosh.

However.

When it came to the crunch, the level of care was no different. Our expensive (and very nice) consultant wasn't present for either birth (it was midwives all the way), and only a brief chat on the ward the next day. Both pregnancies and deliveries were thankfully trouble-free, so that's to be expected, but you still pay the money.

There were no private rooms available, and the definition of 'semi-private' was stretched to include my wife and our sprog spending his first night in a very small room with 4 ladies who were due to have cesareans the next day, and who understandably were nervous and excited and spent the entire night watching TV and laughing and talking loudly, while behind a curtain my exhausted wife struggled with a baby who would not latch on, or feed properly. And again, you still pay the money.

We had really good expeiences, and while I would now very much like to have the pile of money it cost sitting in front of me rather than having been spent on someone else's golf club dues, I don't really regret it: it worked out fine, and we have good memories of 99% of it. The point is that nature does its thing, and throwing money at it will only really net you convenience, not a different outcome.

John Mason

i get a scan on every visit public in Holles Street. my friend is going private and she doesnt. she has to pay for any scans she has.

it appears to me from this thread that Holles is where you need to go if you are going pubic.

was in and out in 30 mins on Monday for routine check up and this has been my experience.

lazygal

John Mason wrote: »

i get a scan on every visit public in Holles Street. my friend is going private and she doesnt. she has to pay for any scans she has.

it appears to me from this thread that Holles is where you need to go if you are going pubic.

was in and out in 30 mins on Monday for routine check up and this has been my experience.

Which consultant doesn't scan private patients? All consultant private rooms have scanners and everyone I know who went private there got scanned at every appointment. You've the anomaly scans in a different area but mini scanners are used by the consultants.

SmokeyEyes

That's very strange I'm semi private Rotunda and get a scan every time, as the poster before me says they're set up in every consultant/docs room and only the bigger scanners for anomaly scans are in their own private room. I had to queue in A & E for a blood pressure scare in Rotunda and I was scanned there as well!

lazygal

dustie1 wrote: »

Perhaps its more a Dublin hospital vs rest of country thing?? In general, outside Dublin there is only 1-2 scans given in most of the hospitals. In Galway a lot of people told me they only got one scan in entire pregnancy for uncomplicated. And I've a friend with high BP and she got no extra scans despite being high risk

I hate the attitude that because a pregnancy appears to be 'uncomplicated' (whatever that means) scans don't need to be done. I had what appeared to be a textbook pregnancy first time, only for scans to show up what could have been potentially serious issues. I know from talking to other women that if I'd been a public patient in other hospitals I'd not have known about these issues until a possible growth scan at 34 or 36 weeks. I don't think that's good enough. I think women are getting their own scans done privately at their own expense - anecdotally I know many, many get early scans, extra scans done and their own anomaly scans sometimes - and that eases up the hospitals' scanning systems, but that is not appropriate. Even if a woman doesn't want to be scanned its a very basic thing to be offered, especially as there is constant patting oneself on the back about our supposedly world class safe maternity services.