Sorry Isabella, I just saw your questions now.
My husband was mid-air unfortunately so he didn't make the birth. But - there's a labour ward and a delivery room. Labour ward you are in by yourself (it's a ward, so other ladies & nurses are there too, but outsiders not permitted). You will be in the labour ward until you're 3cm dilated, after which you move to the delivery room - at this time husband or birth partner can join you (but only 1 person, and you can't change that person at half time either!).
English wasn't bad, but being literally on my own and in a lot of pain, I found they weren't really listening to me. I'd mentioned an allergy to pethadine in my birth plan & again when they offered it, tried the entonox and it made me vomit, then when I was screaming for pain relief they said I'd refused it!!! WTF?! So I was extremely wound up about that, and exacerbated by not having a support person to help.
Would I do it again? At a push I would - now knowing what to expect, I think it is a good quality service & very affordable. But in saying that, I'm going private this time, even though it's going to be all out of pocket.