Public or Private Care?

Tim76 · 27-02-2020 8:42pm #1

Hi all,

My wife and I are expecting our first child and are trying to determine whether to go public or private.

Anybody out there have any advice on which way to go? What are the main differences between the two, apart from the extra expense?

We could get the funds together for private if we do decide to go that way but would rather put the money into the baby’s future if there’s not much difference between the two.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Millem · 27-02-2020 9:02pm

Tim76 wrote: »

Hi all,

My wife and I are expecting our first child and are trying to determine whether to go public or private.

Anybody out there have any advice on which way to go? What are the main differences between the two, apart from the extra expense?

We could get the funds together for private if we do decide to go that way but would rather put the money into the baby’s future if there’s not much difference between the two.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Lots of people will tell you public is grand. Personally private is worth every penny. Pregnant with my third wouldn’t entertain any other option.

mirrorwall14 · 27-02-2020 9:04pm

Everyone will have a different opinion. But as a public patient in the Coombe for two babies and a miscarriage I can say (with the exception of the miscarriage which was a pretty horrific experience) my care was excellent even with complications. Main negative was how god damn long appts in the main clinics are

august12 · 27-02-2020 9:05pm

Tim76 wrote: »

Hi all,

My wife and I are expecting our first child and are trying to determine whether to go public or private.

Anybody out there have any advice on which way to go? What are the main differences between the two, apart from the extra expense?

We could get the funds together for private if we do decide to go that way but would rather put the money into the baby’s future if there’s not much difference between the two.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

If you have private health insurance then definitely worth it, if not, then I wouldn't even consider it as you have no idea what additional treatment you might be facing, which could run to tens of thousands of euro.

Millem · 27-02-2020 9:34pm

The big difference is continuity of care. You will see the same consultant for all your appointments. You don’t rotate with gp, you will get a scan at each appointment and you will see your consultant at 8 weeks and get early scan.

You will have short waiting times.

Plum Pud · 27-02-2020 9:52pm

Public in the Coombe second time round. Found it great the first time, had an early scan, appointment waiting room times were short and painless, always saw the same doctor and wouldn't have had better care as a private patient after what was a complicated pregnancy. This time around we've paid for a private early scan and happy to go through consultant led clinic as a public patient again.

jlm29 · 27-02-2020 11:05pm

I’ve always gone private (4 babies), and if I had another 10 babies (I feckin won’t tho), I’d find the money.
I’m 95% sure I’d have had an unnecessary section on my first if there hadn’t been a consultant there. I had a decent sized year on another, and tbh, i wouldn’t entertain the idea of a more junior doctor doing stitches, especially for a third or fourth deg tear. That said, for worse tears, they’d probably call in a reg or a consultant anyhow, but I wouldn’t take the chance.
I’ve found it very reassuring to always have the same person for appointments, and most of the deliveries. It’s also MUCH quicker at clinic appointments, though that might vary from hosp to hosp anyhow.
The private room was a big plus too, but that’s obviously not guaranteed, and maybe even somewhat unlikely in Dublin hospitals.

Pistachios & cream · 28-02-2020 11:03am

Tim76 wrote: »

Hi all,

My wife and I are expecting our first child and are trying to determine whether to go public or private.

Anybody out there have any advice on which way to go? What are the main differences between the two, apart from the extra expense?

We could get the funds together for private if we do decide to go that way but would rather put the money into the baby’s future if there’s not much difference between the two.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Firstly check to make sure your health insurance covers a private room in a maternity hospital under your maternity benefits. This is separate to your other hospital benefits and if it doesn’t then you could have a very hefty bill to pay. I had to stay 5 nights in total and the bill was over €5000 that insurance paid. I know I’m my hospital it was not possible to be a private patient with a consultant and a public patient on the ward and I had to sign a waiver saying I would pay the hospital if my insurance didn’t cover it.

Outside of that up until my baby was delivered I thought private was nice to have but not totally necessary however we had lots of complications and only for my consultant I know I’d have had to have a section so I now say it was the best money I ever spent!

Sprites · 28-02-2020 11:05am

I went public on my first and going public again on my second at the moment. I couldn't fault the care I've received under the public system and personally I wouldn't see any benefits to me for going private. I'm hoping to achieve a natural birth after a previous c section and the research I've seen points to a higher instance of caesarean section and interventions in consultant led care, I'm not saying that this translates to higher instances of them if you are being cared for under the private system but definitely something to consider depending what your birth preferences are. Also, worth noting that paying for private care won't guarantee you a private or semi private room, that's largely dependent on the needs of the mothers and babies requiring care on the post natal ward at the particular point in time.

Congratulations!

sallysue2 · 28-02-2020 11:10am

Private all the way. I went public on my first and it's something I have come to regret. I had all the signs of preterm labour but as a first time mom I didn't realise and trusted the doctors. My son is very lucky to be alive, was born at 26 weeks.

Have gone private ever since, would highly recommend it, have same consultant who I adore. Nothing is left to chance. Plus I've been admitted several times during my pregnancy and with the exception of 1 occasion, I've gotten my own room. Quicker appointments, more scans.

I'm not trying to scare anyone but this has been my experience of maternity services.

Digs · 28-02-2020 11:11am

I’ve had 3 babies on the public system. I wouldn’t describe the care as grand, it was excellent, especially on my last baby when things got a bit hairy towards the end. I couldn’t imagine having gotten better care. We could afford private care but having weighed everything up it wasn’t a necessary spend for us.

I have friends who have gone private and have been very happy with their care (bar one who was under extreme pressure from her consultant to induce early over Christmas, we suspected he wanted his holidays!). So it’s a case of weighing up if what private offers you is important - the increased chance of a private room after birth, shorter wait times for apt’s etc

When it comes to the safety of you and your baby I absolute disagree that private patients are in better hands no matter what anyone tries to imply.

JustAThought · 28-02-2020 11:14am

if my family member had remained on her private care she probably wouldnt have been treated the way she was, probably would have had a doctor that knew or had bothered read her complicated case history, probably would have had someone who wasnt just going to blie in and out on a temporary basis and porobbly wouldnt have had the life changing stroke due to lack of proper care and rotating doctors and aoncalled
consultants who didnt know of her condition and didnt read the notes properly. She will never work again, lost her home because she lost her job and they couldnt keep up the mortgage payments and will never know her babys name. She is not the only person I know who has been a victim of public maternity ‘care’. By all accounts private is the way to go if your baby is covered and if you are guaranteed to have the same doctor throughout- with the usual caveat that what you pay for - a private room - may not be available on the day - the kind of nonsense the competition authority and CRO should be on top of - either yoh pay for something and get it or you are not obliged to pay for it, IMO.

mirrorwall14 · 28-02-2020 11:31am

The other part thats a bit mad is that on both mine, my labours were so fast the consultant almost cretainly wouldn't have made it unless they were on call that night (unlikely). Both labours went 4cm-baby in under an hour. So I could have paid 5k, been delivered by the same on call doc as the public system and I know for sure on my first there was no private rooms available so would have ended up on a ward anyways

I would say that it is a good idea to be knowledgeable and vocal about your wants and needs. I was probably a little quiet on my first. I was not on my second and I was much happier overall. I also highly recommend availing of the birth reflection service in the coombe afterwards regardless of how it went. Anne was fabulous

Loveinapril · 28-02-2020 11:41am

I think the levels of care depends on the hospital. I have a medical condition that means my pregnancies are high risk. I had two children in the public care of the Rotunda in the last 2.5 years and they were excellent. Wait times can be long and I don't think there is as much of that if you go private. Employers are legally obligated to allow time off for appointments so the waiting around acted as a break for me a lot of the time, so it didn't bother me much.

Alf Veedersane · 28-02-2020 11:45am

Went semi-private on first and not sure if we ended up on a public ward but it was busy and noisy.
Went public on second and ended up in a semi-private ward.

GP said there is little difference except shorter waiting times for consultant appointments.

Consultant was never seen after the last check-up so ultimately I don't think the semi-private route benefitted us at all.

witchgirl26 · 28-02-2020 11:45am

I went semi-private in the Coombe for my little boy and honestly felt the extra cost was worth it. I didn't see the need for fully private as I didn't want my own room after & semi-private offers a lot of the same benefits. While I didn't see the consultant at every appointment I did see the same doctor under her team if she wasn't there. I got a small scan at each appointment too which was nice. I could pick my appointment times and was never left waiting too long and the scans I could have in the evening which meant my partner was able to make them.
Everyone gets the same labour rooms in the Coombe no matter what level of care you're booked in under.
Afterwards I was in a ward with only 3 other women & they'd mixed it between first time mams and seasoned mammies which was nice. I liked having other people around and was glad in that sense that I didn't have a private room.
If I was going again, I would definitely go semi-private again. Yes it cost a little extra but I could claim some of back from my health insurance and I feel it was worth it.

I do have a friend who was pregnant at the same time and went private (different hospital). For her the reason was that she had a lot of underlying medical issues and wanted the comfort of not having to explain these repeatedly to different doctors or midwives each time.

scarepanda · 28-02-2020 11:54am

Two babies, 2 sections, both public. I couldn't fault the care I got in either pregnancy. I was given every opportunity to go VBAC with no.2, but her head was too big! I would prefer to keep my money and spend it on the baby after its arrived.

I think the private room benefits depends on the hospital. I've gone to Mullingar both times. Their wards are only 4 bed with bathroom in the ward, they are also stupidly ridiculous on visitors, so other than other patients being very inconsiderate (happened with baby no 2) there's not much of a difference imo. You still have the nurses coming in checking on you and baby so will have broken sleep regardless. I had a tough time with the blues and breastfeeding with No1 and really appreciated the company on the ward.

bee06 · 28-02-2020 12:04pm

I went public the first time and on the Domino scheme this time (which I highly recommend).

For me, I’m low risk so I didn’t really see the benefit of private just for quicker appointments etc but if there is an underlying medical condition or likely complications then it’s a harder decision.

mirrorwall14 · 28-02-2020 12:05pm

witchgirl26 wrote: »

I went semi-private in the Coombe for my little boy and honestly felt the extra cost was worth it. I didn't see the need for fully private as I didn't want my own room after & semi-private offers a lot of the same benefits. While I didn't see the consultant at every appointment I did see the same doctor under her team if she wasn't there. I got a small scan at each appointment too which was nice. I could pick my appointment times and was never left waiting too long and the scans I could have in the evening which meant my partner was able to make them.
Everyone gets the same labour rooms in the Coombe no matter what level of care you're booked in under.
Afterwards I was in a ward with only 3 other women & they'd mixed it between first time mams and seasoned mammies which was nice. I liked having other people around and was glad in that sense that I didn't have a private room.
If I was going again, I would definitely go semi-private again. Yes it cost a little extra but I could claim some of back from my health insurance and I feel it was worth it.

I do have a friend who was pregnant at the same time and went private (different hospital). For her the reason was that she had a lot of underlying medical issues and wanted the comfort of not having to explain these repeatedly to different doctors or midwives each time.

Just to clarity for public on the Coombe you are still under one team. By the time I had my first (lots of extra appts due to HBP and other stuff) I knew every single one of Aoife O Neills team at the time including the lady on call who delivered my baby. Additionally I did have a small scan every time I saw one of her team. I imagine if you had less appts you wouldn’t know them as well though. Scans in the evening and appts running on time did not happen in public tho

Millem · 28-02-2020 2:07pm

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

The other part thats a bit mad is that on both mine, my labours were so fast the consultant almost cretainly wouldn't have made it unless they were on call that night (unlikely). Both labours went 4cm-baby in under an hour. So I could have paid 5k, been delivered by the same on call doc as the public system and I know for sure on my first there was no private rooms available so would have ended up on a ward anyways

I would say that it is a good idea to be knowledgeable and vocal about your wants and needs. I was probably a little quiet on my first. I was not on my second and I was much happier overall. I also highly recommend availing of the birth reflection service in the coombe afterwards regardless of how it went. Anne was fabulous

Your consultant would of been called when you arrived in the hospital! That is what happened in my case. They checked me and left them came back. I pay less half of €5k and it is for all your appointments during the pregnancy and your check up after!

witchgirl26 · 28-02-2020 3:06pm

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

Just to clarity for public on the Coombe you are still under one team. By the time I had my first (lots of extra appts due to HBP and other stuff) I knew every single one of Aoife O Neills team at the time including the lady on call who delivered my baby. Additionally I did have a small scan every time I saw one of her team. I imagine if you had less appts you wouldn’t know them as well though. Scans in the evening and appts running on time did not happen in public tho

Sorry I don't think I put it right in the initial post. I get you're still under 1 team in the public but my point was that I never saw anyone except the consultant I was under or one particular member of her team. I was subsectioned under that doctor. I never met the rest of the team.....well except for the one who was on the night I gave birth as the doctor I had seen was off.

uck51js9zml2yt · 28-02-2020 3:12pm

The benefit is seeing the consultant each visit.
You will give birth in the same birthing area as public patients with the same midwives. There is no guarantee the consultant being be on holiday.

You will only get private/ semi private bed if available.

My wife had 2 in the rotunda public. She even got a semi private bed on the first:)
My observation on that was dont be there at weekends when they are on skeleton staff.

My wife obliged on number 2 and gave birth on a week day

afkasurfjunkie · 28-02-2020 3:31pm

3 babies, 2 emergency sections and 1 planned section. 3 miscarriages between baby 1 and 2 unfortunately also. All public and excellent care every time. Now in saying that, I had no complications during any of my pregnancies and no complicated history so I think that was part of the reason I was happy in the public system. Not in Dublin either so a 4 bed ward was the biggest I was ever in and sometimes I was on my own after mums and babies went home.
Baby number 1 arrived suddenly after 34 weeks hence the section (breech) and he was expertly looked after in the special care unit for just over 2 weeks too.
So I would make the decision based on your partners health history and your location.
Oh, I got my tubes tied during my 3rd section too.

awny · 28-02-2020 8:17pm

Went private on my first baby and I have no doubt that I avoided a c section because my consultant was there. He was rang as soon as I presented myself in hospital and must’ve been with me for 2-3 hours at the end of my labour. I am
Pregnant again and I am going private.

I have a medic in the family and they strongly advised going private. They actually told me that If I couldn’t afford to go privately they would pay for me. It’s that important. My fees were €3000, but i got €1000 back between VHI and tax.

That’s not a slant of the public system or anyone here that is recommending public, it’s just what I’ve been told. By all
Accounts, the public system is fine when you have a straight forward pregnancy and labour. It’s if things go wrong, that your private care really shows it’s need.

ShaShaBear · 28-02-2020 9:18pm

Can't recall if you've said where you will be attending OP, but if your partner is low risk and in an eligible area, I'd recommend midwifery-led care. Much quicker appointments and a high possibility of a private room where you can stay over, as well as multiple birth partners if preferred. All available for free through public.
I received MLU care for both my girls and a "consultant" led birth on the first due to induction and everything was faultless. I'll be going public again for my third (unfortunately not MLU this time due to weight gain) and wouldn't even consider paying for private care. My sister is a midwife and told me quite an amusing anecdotal story of two ladies who ended up side-by-side on the public ward after having both their babies delivered by the same consultant due to heavy complications with the public mammy and nobody else available to deal with it. Obviously she clarified this isn't the norm, but it's always a possibility and if there are no complications, there's no need to pay extra.

lazygal · 28-02-2020 10:53pm

Ruled out midwife led care. If you've any issues there's a fair chance you'll be shunted out to the public system. I've had different complications on every pregnancy so I wanted and needed continuity of care and for me only the private system provided that. I also needed C sections each time and having a private room each time and my own consultant delivering all care was far more important than I ever anticipated.

Toastytoes · 29-02-2020 1:30am

Millem wrote: »

The big difference is continuity of care. You will see the same consultant for all your appointments. You don’t rotate with gp, you will get a scan at each appointment and you will see your consultant at 8 weeks and get early scan.

You will have short waiting times.

In Galway you will still rotate with GP even when going private.

Tim76 · 29-02-2020 11:38am

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the feedback. Your advice has really helped us in making up or mind.

We have decided to go private for a number of reasons but lo and behold there are now another two options, semi private or full!

Again, does anyone of any advice on which one to go for, the main differences etc?

Pistachios & cream · 29-02-2020 6:26pm

I’m not sure if semi private is available in all hospitals. I never heard it mentioned as an option for me when my gp discussed public v private. I’m based in limerick

shesty · 29-02-2020 8:13pm

It seems to be mainly the Dublin hospitals you can go semi?

Semi-private in the Rotunda on all 3. I'll be honest....I wanted a smaller ward and the possibility of same doctor each appointment but I did not want to pay 4k for a consultant because I didn't want a consultant present at the birth if I could avoid it, and I didn't see the need to pay 4k for a doctor that might be away on holidays when I gave birth, or that might be a bit more interfering than I wanted, just to earn his fee.

But that's just me.I was under no illusions I was basically paying for the ward afterwards and the comfy surrounds of the private clinic for appointments.Births all happen in the same rooms as public or private, and the staff attending the birth would be whoever is on call...midwives, doctors etc....same as public patients.(Who were all super) I was ok with that, I can see why others would view it as a waste of money.

As it turned out, I had 3 natural births with 1 midwife in attendance at each, no interventions and no doctors needed.So the 4k each for private care would really have been a huge waste of money for me .But that is hindsight.

Millem · 29-02-2020 8:54pm

Just to clear up the cost....ring around and ask for prices. For instance there were no consultants in the rotunda charging €4K in 2019....€3800 was the most expensive.

In my own case my consultant is charging me €3k. This includes a repeat discount.
I have claimed back €850 from my health insurance and can claim a further €430 back in my tax next year, the net cost will be €1720. No where near €5k or €4k.

I opted to get the panorama test which cost €450 and claimed back €225 from my health insurance and can claim back a further €45 back in tax next year. The net cost will be €180.
This pregnancy will cost me €1900 in total.

There are cheaper consultants though.
According to Holles street’s website private care starts at €2.5k (December 2019). You need to pay for your anomaly scan.

The new master of the Coombs offers a reduced private fee if you go to your gp for 5 visits. He charges €2200 (before deductions) for this. You need to pay for your anomaly scan. This price was quoted in December 2019.

LegacyUser · 29-02-2020 10:49pm

Went private recently, consultant gave a 90% chance of him being there. But guaranteed a consultant would be there.

He missed it but an other consultant was there. Midwife does all the work for delivery but consultant was there holding a leg and ready to aid if necessary.

Post delivery there was some significant bleeding and consultant jumped straight in to lead the care/treatment. She was excellent.

Would you want a junior doc on a 6 month rotation there to stitch up etc. Or a 20+ year expert specialist ?

Toastytoes · 29-02-2020 11:24pm

Pistachios & cream wrote: »

I’m not sure if semi private is available in all hospitals. I never heard it mentioned as an option for me when my gp discussed public v private. I’m based in limerick

No semi private option in Galway either.

lazygal · 01-03-2020 10:48am

Imo semi p in Dublin doesn't give a huge amount extra.

kandr10 · 01-03-2020 12:26pm

I went public on my first and was very happy with the level of care. I’m going semi private now and so far the main benefits are shorter waiting times for appointments and a nicer environment to do your waiting in. I’m under one consultant but tend to see a different doctor at each appointment. This doesn’t bother me as I have no underlying medical conditions. I find the doctors have a bit more time to answer questions at appointments as they don’t seem quite so under pressure to see the next person. The only reason I chose it this time is because I have health insurance and didn’t before. I’m hoping the ward might be smaller after delivery but it will be what it will be.

Moonbeam · 01-03-2020 1:16pm

if you can afford private then go private,if not go with a midwife led clinic.

Thumpette · 03-03-2020 12:41am

If you can afford it go private. I went public on my first. Low risk, all good. I felt rushed through all of the scans but took it as a good sign that there was no concerns. Unfortunately my son was unexpectedly stillborn at 41+4. I always wonder if I'd gone private might they have followed up on some little signs (slowed growth, unexplained itch) Maybe not but I'll always wonder what if. Went private with my second little boy and to be fair was obviously treated as high risk but the continuity of care was so reassuring. Thankfully he's a happy healthy 2 year d now.

ShaShaBear · 03-03-2020 10:27am

Thumpette wrote: »

If you can afford it go private. I went public on my first. Low risk, all good. I felt rushed through all of the scans but took it as a good sign that there was no concerns. Unfortunately my son was unexpectedly stillborn at 41+4. I always wonder if I'd gone private might they have followed up on some little signs (slowed growth, unexplained itch) Maybe not but I'll always wonder what if. Went private with my second little boy and to be fair was obviously treated as high risk but the continuity of care was so reassuring. Thankfully he's a happy healthy 2 year d now.

While I am obviously so sorry for your loss, I dont think it's fair to suggest that your public care was the cause of it. Many people rely on public maternity care and many private patients also have stillborn babies. It's a risk we all must take when carrying children, but it's not fair on the women who have to go public to be afraid that their consultant is going to let something like that happen.

awny · 03-03-2020 11:02am

ShashaBear, in fairness I don’t think Your response is fair. Trumpette is the only person who can comment on her experience. She believes that her scans were rushed and something may have been missed. She may well be right but she’ll never know. How can you conclude that it was nothing to do with Her care? None of us here can comment on her experience. It’s hers.

While your experiences of the public system are good, not everyone has had the same positive experience and they are entitled to their opinion, whether you agree with it or not.

Trumpette I’m very sorry for your loss.

Clashmore · 03-03-2020 11:12am

If you are within a catchment area and are low risk. I would recommend Domino or Midwife led care. Includes combined care with GP.
No hanging around for hours at appointments, most I waited was about 20 minutes. Received great care from midwifes.

Sprites · 03-03-2020 11:32am

Thumpette wrote: »

If you can afford it go private. I went public on my first. Low risk, all good. I felt rushed through all of the scans but took it as a good sign that there was no concerns. Unfortunately my son was unexpectedly stillborn at 41+4. I always wonder if I'd gone private might they have followed up on some little signs (slowed growth, unexplained itch) Maybe not but I'll always wonder what if. Went private with my second little boy and to be fair was obviously treated as high risk but the continuity of care was so reassuring. Thankfully he's a happy healthy 2 year d now.

So sorry for your loss Trumpette. I hope if the terrible tragedy you suffered was in anyway due to a deficiency in care you have been offered answers and explanations.

I have to say in my experience of public care any concerns I had (unexplained itchy skin, spotting, shortness of breath) were thoroughly examined and I don't believe I was discriminated against in terms of quality of care for being in the public system.

ShaShaBear · 03-03-2020 11:38am

awny wrote: »

ShashaBear, in fairness I don’t think Your response is fair. Trumpette is the only person who can comment on her experience. She believes that her scans were rushed and something may have been missed. She may well be right but she’ll never know. How can you conclude that it was nothing to do with Her care? None of us here can comment on her experience. It’s hers.

While your experiences of the public system are good, not everyone has had the same positive experience and they are entitled to their opinion, whether you agree with it or not.

Trumpette I’m very sorry for your loss.

I most certainly did not conclude anything of the sort. I simply stated I don't believe it fair that she suggest it was the cause. Many women in Ireland have no other choice but to avail of free public care and likewise many women pay for private care to suffer a devastating loss. I feel strongly for any woman who has to go through something like that, but by and large I don't think it fair to suggest that a public consultant would ignore signs like this, but a private one would not. It puts unnecessary strain and anxiety on other mums, like myself, who have no other choice but to put their faith in the public healthcare system.

witchgirl26 · 03-03-2020 11:58am

Tim76 wrote: »

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the feedback. Your advice has really helped us in making up or mind.

We have decided to go private for a number of reasons but lo and behold there are now another two options, semi private or full!

Again, does anyone of any advice on which one to go for, the main differences etc?

So my experience was semi-private in the Coombe. Like I said, couldn't fault it. Between the scans & the initial payment I think it cost me about EUR600. I claimed the majority of that back from my VHI (haven't done my med1 for last year yet).
I also did the combined care so I saw my GP every second visit. This worked for me as I had some medical issues that shouldn't impact a pregnancy (as in the baby itself) but could affect me during pregnancy. I was lucky again in the my GP actually trained in the Coombe for 6 months to provide the best combined care.
Honestly I saw no need to go fully private at that point for me. Only downside was I developed gestational diabetes and if I'd had to go on meds as opposed to staying diet controlled, I would have been switched to the public system with no refund depending on how many visits I'd been to. If I'd been private it wouldn't have changed my care level.

awny · 03-03-2020 2:13pm

ShaShaBear wrote: »

I most certainly did not conclude anything of the sort. I simply stated I don't believe it fair that she suggest it was the cause. Many women in Ireland have no other choice but to avail of free public care and likewise many women pay for private care to suffer a devastating loss. I feel strongly for any woman who has to go through something like that, but by and large I don't think it fair to suggest that a public consultant would ignore signs like this, but a private one would not. It puts unnecessary strain and anxiety on other mums, like myself, who have no other choice but to put their faith in the public healthcare system.

But why wouldn’t she say it if she believes that her care failed her? It’s her opinion and she’s entitled to say it.

lazygal · 03-03-2020 2:40pm

I got better care in the private system and I make no apology for saying so. I found public adequate at best and chaotic at worst, in the few times I had appointments in the public clinic or was on the public wards. I had to ask for things rather than feeling like the staff were being proactive, I can't imagine what happens if you're not assertive or have communication issues. I couldn't put a price on continuity of care, especially when I needed things like c sections and amniocentesis.

Princess Calla · 03-03-2020 3:24pm

I went public, my sister in law went private. We both had the same consultant.

There was a private patient in my public ward as the private room was full.

I had gestational diabetes on both my pregnancies , no problem with the care I received.

The birth of my first I had 6 midwives and a Dr, there was also the paediatric team of about 6 or 7 waiting for the baby (I didn't know this wasn't normal at the time, which is testament to their professionalism)

On my second I was concerned at one point as my fingers continued to bleed after diabetes testing in the morning. I was afraid there was something wrong with my blood clotting... A massive concern for birth. I went to the hospital, checked into their casualty got full work up done no problem, bloods, urine, scans monitored for a few hours. Everything fine. Sent home.

38 weeks pregnant felt the baby wasn't as active as before, back into casualty again full work up all fine.

The wait into casualty was the length it took me to produce an urine sample.

The midwives and Dr's were fantastic.

So while the wait for routine visits is ridiculously long, I really couldn't fault the level of care.

Personally I wouldn't let level of care be a factor (but then I'm dublin based so have 3 maternity hospitals to choose from) as I think the care you get as a public patient is fantastic.

I had private insurance, so I could have gone private, but I used the money saved to take extra maternity leave.

honerbright · 03-03-2020 3:54pm

I went public. I did not have a good experience, I'm uunsure if private would have made a difference to the end result.

I was meant to be high risk because I have autoimmune issues and lost a twin at 9 weeks. There were 3 requests that were sent off and were pushed aside. 20 week appointment and my blood pressure was high, they kept taking it until it was an OK level. Mentioned to the doctor then about high risk, she asked another doctor (who people I know have had for their private care and swear by him) if I should be high risk, he said no and they sent me off. Come my anatomy scan at 23 weeks baby was having growth issues so I was referred on to a growth consultant who advised not to continue standard appointments because I was seeing him now. I went to my standard 28 week appointment anyway because I hadn't had my BP checked in a while or peed in a cup lately and next thing you know I'm admitted, diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and had a baby 2 days later. Baby spent 3 months in the NICU and were both perfectly fine now.

The standard of care once I was admitted and post birth was fantastic, but leading up to that stage was fairly traumatic. I had a semi private room post birth, but no roommate and they were kind enough to put me on a floor where i wouldn't hear other babies crying because mine was a few floors below in the nicu.

kandr10 · 03-03-2020 6:30pm

witchgirl26 wrote: »

So my experience was semi-private in the Coombe. Like I said, couldn't fault it. Between the scans & the initial payment I think it cost me about EUR600. I claimed the majority of that back from my VHI (haven't done my med1 for last year yet).
I also did the combined care so I saw my GP every second visit. This worked for me as I had some medical issues that shouldn't impact a pregnancy (as in the baby itself) but could affect me during pregnancy. I was lucky again in the my GP actually trained in the Coombe for 6 months to provide the best combined care.
Honestly I saw no need to go fully private at that point for me. Only downside was I developed gestational diabetes and if I'd had to go on meds as opposed to staying diet controlled, I would have been switched to the public system with no refund depending on how many visits I'd been to. If I'd been private it wouldn't have changed my care level.

In the Rotunda with gestational diabetes, you attend the diabetes clinic but also have your regular appointments with the doctor/consultant through your semi private or private care. You see the diabetic team in addition to your appointments in other words.

Millem · 03-03-2020 9:10pm

I will not be attending any public clinic if I develop GD and I will be telling my consultant that!!
I am actually getting the test at 28 weeks in the private clinic. I am meeting my own consultant after it.

Last baby I did the same (different issue).
I was sent to the other consultant once who did a special scan in the private clinic and then back to my own consultant for all my appointments.
I do not have time to wait around nor do I have any desire to meet Tom, Dick or Harry and explain my situation on a number of occasions.

mvl · 03-03-2020 9:33pm

just thought I'd ask, for this decision, would it make a difference if the mother is in her 20s or 40s ?
e.g. I'd imagine for majority it is easier giving birth when mother is in her 20s than 40s ...

lazygal · 03-03-2020 9:37pm

I don't think age comes into it. It depends on your financial situation, priorities, medical history. You can have an easy pregnancy and straightforward delivery at 45 or a complex pregnancy and delivery at 20.

Public or Private Care?

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