Procedures for the public system

[cyberfish88]

I need some help with the procedures for using the public system! I am newly pregnant and anxious to get in to see a doctor. I have been in to see my GP and she has given me a referral letter for a Maternal & Child Health Centre. Question is, do I have to know now which hospital I would like to deliver in before I choose the health centre to visit?? I am assuming I want to deliver at QMH but live near Tung Chung so would like to visit the health centre there. Any problem with this? Can I choose any hospital then or does it have to be one affiliated with The Tung Chung clinic?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I am feeling slightly clueless!

Thanks a lot

 

[carang]

you are not allowed to choose your public hospital. i believe the one closest to tung chung is princess margaret.

good luck!

 

[cyberfish88]

Thanks carang,

Does this mean that I have to use the public hospital closest to where I live? or that I have to use the MCH Centres that are affiliated just with the public hospital I want to give birth in?

Anyone out there used Princess Margaret before?

Thanks again.

 

[carang]

you have to use the public hospital closest to where you live.

 

[jodymo]

I only found QMH that rigid - i'm using Pamela Youde (not my nearest hospital) and they've been fantastic. Most appointments have only taken 30 mins, and for the 20 week scan i was in and out in an hour. Its nowhere near Tung Chung of course, but in my experience if you like the sound of any in particular hospital try to see if they'll register before you give in and go to the nearest.

 

[Canucker]

Hi cyberfish88,

I live in Tung Chung and am 38 weeks along and have been going to Queen Mary from the start. I know there is a hospital in Tsing Yi but decided to go to QMH b/c I knew a number of people who went there and had good experiences. So I disagree with carang that you have to go to the one closest to you. The down side is ALL of my appointments have been at QMH or the clinic next door - I'm not sure if you can go to the clinic in Tung Chung or not. But I am sure whatever hospital you pick will be great. Good luck!

Canucker

 

[carang]

if my info is wron, i apologise...i was told that you HAD to go to the one for your catchment area...

DB is QMH, but Tung Chung is not...

but really, it's 6 of one and 1/2 dozen of the other...

 

[Canucker]

I know of another woman who just had her baby at QMH who also lives in Tung Chung... I think if you "register" at the hospital right away they won't stop you. And carang is right... Princess Margaret is probably just like QMH... the only reason I went there first is b/c I heard good things about it right from the start.

 

[mscheerful]

I live in Tung Chung, had my checked-up at M.C. Clinic at Tung Chung and refered to PMH later on. Subsiquently at around 7+ months i had all my checked up at PMH and given birth there this Feb 14 by way of C section reason - breech even on due date. I love every bit of it at PMH, the nurses and helpers are very helpful. They really teach you how to breast feed. When i was so tired the nurse took and care for my baby and tell me to sleep so I will have more supply the next feed. My wardmates were so great in cheering each other on to get off bed. Some of us became good friends and we are now calling each other to share about everything of babies! We also became friends with some nurses. Doctor fed me water after he came over to check on my tummy few hours after C.

You can try QMH too if you have any address of yours or work place to comfirm that it is more convenient for you to have check ups. 2 friends used their work address and parents' address to book QMH and were granted. One use former address to give birth at PWH, Shatin as she had her first there. So you can try and why not. But I personaly had no regret in giving birth at PMH as appose to Seventh Day Adventist that will easily charge me 40K> ( initially wants to have baby there & i have no insurance) but PMH, $600, baby and me were out of hospital happily! And all the vaccines and check-ups for baby are free here at MC Clinic. Bravo!

 

[cyberfish88]

Thanks a lot carang and canucker for the advice. The whole thing is a little confusing but I did find out that QM is the approved hospital for DB since the ferry is slightly faster than having to go multiple modes of transportation to PMH....so turns out that is the not a problem. I had my first check-up this week at Tung Chung MCH and have to say I was very impressed - they were all helpful and efficient. But they warned me that beds are filling up fast (especially at QMH). I have my first appointment at Tsun Yak next Saturday so we'll see.

Mscheerful, thanks for the review of PMH! If I can't get a bed at QMH, I will try there.

Canucker, good luck to you...you must be on the home stretch!