Procedures for the public system

cyberfish88

cyberfish88

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

good luck!
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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...
 
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.
 
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!
 
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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! :)
 
Canucker,
How do I register for a bed at Queen Mary? One doctor told me to just get an antenatal appointment at Tsun Yak and that would then qualify me to register for a bed at QMH. So I have my first appointment next Saturday for a check-up at Tsun Yak. Should I be doing anything else at this point? Do I need to be calling QMH seperately?

Thanks for the help!
 
you don't register for a bed at QMH. you need to register at Tsan Yuk, as you have already done. that's it!

i've delivered twice at QMH, once in feb 2005 and most recently in feb 2007.

the nursing staff is great, but very overworked. there's not a lot of knowledge about breastfeeding either, so you may want to try some LLL meetings if this is your first time!

good luck! and remember to pack your earplugs!
 
Hi cyberfish88,

I did exactly what carang said... once I had an appointment at Tsan Yuk they said a bed had been "reserved" for me. I am due 2 weeks from today so I will let you know if any "problems" creep up but I am not anticipating any when I show up at the hospital.

Another tip to share with you... because I live in Tung Chung (work in Tai Po) and am always running around the city (trying to slow down starting today), I always keep $500 in my wallet in case I need to hop in a cab and get to the hospital b/c I have gone into labour. My hospital bag is packed at home, but I also have a copy of my birthing plan (birthing "preferences is more like it) with me as well in case I can't bring my bag with me right away. While QMH is a long way away from Tung Chung, I have heard such good things I think these smalls inconviences are worth it for me.

Good luck!
Canucker
 
Hi. The process in HK is quite confusing considering that you need to get a referral and make sure that you are pregnant before you can see and OB-GYNE. From where I came from, you can "shop" for your OB and get an appointment right away even if you are not pregnant. But as I am now in HK, I need to follow HK's procedure. :smile:

I live in Tung Chung, tried calling QMH for antenatal, faxed my referral to them and was told to call Tsan Yuk. But Tsan Yuk refused as Tung Chung is not "within their jurisdiction" and was told again to call Princess Margaret. I would have wanted QMH as I think I qualify under the high-risk category, having a history of trophoblastic disease. The best trophoblastic doctor is in QMH (Prof. Ngan). Do you have any suggestions if pushing for QMH/Tsan Yuk is possible? Any feedback on PMH regarding gyne-onco care? Because of this, I saw a private doctor last saturday and ended up paying 2K. I have no insurance for pregancy so public it will be for me.
 
Tet,

Your private Dr should be able to give you a referral letter detailing your condition which you can give QM's high risk department. Best to give him a call and ask him for one.
 
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