‘Lottery’ claim over room for new mums
THE cost of securing a private room in hospital after giving birth is a postcode lottery across Greater Manchester.
While Oldham, Tameside and North Manchester General hospitals offer a private room for free if one is available, others are charging women as much as £100.
At Stepping Hill new mums can get a private room for free if one is available – or pay £75 to book one in advance.
At Royal Bolton private rooms are £80, at St Mary’s £100 and at Wythenshawe £70, all depending on availability.
Many mums who used a room after giving birth say they welcomed the extra privacy to bond with their babies, as well as the peace and quiet to get more rest.
Jade Ferguson, 29, received a private room for free at North Manchester General after having her daughter Maisie there two years ago.
She said: “They offered it to me as my baby was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit so they didn’t think I should have been on the ward with the other women and babies. It was a large room with en suite.
“I think they could see it was an upsetting time and they wanted me to go to a private room so I wasn’t disrupted or if I became upset.
“If I’d have had to pay I wouldn’t have been able to afford it so I think they should offer them for free for certain reasons.”
Emily Johnson, 41, was given a free private room at Tameside General for five days after having son Lucas, now 15 months.
She said: “I had an emergency C-section and was given a lovely private room free of charge with free TV and my own basin. It was a really pleasant experience and the staff were all lovely and very supportive.”
A spokesman for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust said: “We would never charge for clinical need but have always charged for a private room, as a choice, and have done for many years.”
A spokesman for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said: “Side rooms are available for mothers at Stepping Hill Hospital free of charge if required and available.
“However, if a mother wants to pay extra to guarantee a single room with additional facilities including an en suite bathroom and sleeping facilities for their partner, then that option is available too.”