• Why are these changes being made?
• What will happen on the day of the move?
• I’ve been given an outpatient appointment at Wycombe Hospital for after the move date, will this change?
• I have just found out that I am pregnant and am worried where I should attend if anything should happen?
• If I have appointments for the antenatal assessment clinic how does the move to Stoke Mandeville Hospital affect me?
• I am pregnant and can’t feel my baby moving, where do I go to get this checked out?
• Will the phone number for labour ward remain the same?
• What happens if I go into labour on the eve (Sunday 18 October) of the day when maternity services move from Wycombe to Stoke Mandeville on Monday 19 October?
• My baby is overdue how will I know whether to come into Wycombe or Stoke Mandeville to be induced?
• When will planned caesareans no longer be done at Wycombe and when will they start to be carried out at Stoke Mandeville?
• What will happen if I’m a patient at the Wycombe midwife-led birthing centre and there are complications during labour?
• Where do I take my child in an emergency?
• My child currently has direct access into the Wycombe Ambulatory Children’s Unit (WACU), will this continue? 
• What is happening to gynaecology services at Wycombe?

 

---

 

Why are these changes being made?

Women and children’s care – in particular, emergency and inpatient services – need the back-up of a whole range of specialist services. By centralising this care at Stoke Mandeville Hospital we can build up the specialist services that patients need. It will also help us to recruit specialist doctors, midwives and neonatal nurses.

These changes follow a Buckinghamshire-wide consultation into health services, held in 2004.

Further information about why our services must change can be found by clicking here. 

What will happen on the day of the move?

We have already been talking to the local ambulance service and have arrangements in place for patients to be transferred by ambulance to Stoke Mandeville on 20 October.

If your baby is poorly and being cared for in the neonatal unit, staff there are making separate arrangements to ensure that your baby will be safely transferred to Stoke Mandeville on that day also.  

I’ve been given an outpatient appointment at Wycombe Hospital for after the move date, will this change?

Outpatient clinics and some day procedures are remaining at Wycombe after the move. Our midwifery-led birthing centre is also based there.

Therefore it is unlikely you will need to go elsewhere, however, if you are required to attend Stoke Mandeville Hospital for your appointment, you will be contacted by hospital staff to inform you of this.

I have just found out that I am pregnant and am worried where I should attend if anything should happen?

Congratulations – we hope you have a smooth pregnancy. If you should experience problems or have concerns during the early months of your pregnancy, ie up to 16 weeks, you should make an appointment to discuss your concerns with your GP. If additional advice is required, your GP can refer you to the early pregnancy department. These departments are at both Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville hospitals and are open daily. If you feel it is an emergency situation you should call 999. 

If I have appointments for the antenatal assessment clinic how does the move to Stoke Mandeville Hospital affect me?

This will not affect you. Antenatal clinics will remain at Wycombe Hospital.

I am pregnant and can’t feel my baby moving, where do I go to get this checked out?

Contact the labour ward team who will be able to advise you further.

Will the phone number for labour ward remain the same? 

The labour ward number will be 01296 316158.
The Wycombe midwife-led unit can be contacted on 01494 425172.

What happens if I go into labour on the eve (Sunday 18 October) of the day when maternity services move from Wycombe to Stoke Mandeville on Monday 19 October?

If you are booked to attend Wycombe Hospital, please continue to go there where staff will be available to help you throughout the delivery. If you are still in hospital on 20 October we will arrange for you and your baby to be transferred to Stoke Mandeville where the staff will continue with your ongoing care.

My baby is overdue how will I know whether to come into Wycombe or Stoke Mandeville to be induced?

Your community midwife or the antenatal clinic team will discuss plans for your induction of labour and advise you of when and where to attend.  

When will planned caesareans no longer be done at Wycombe and when will they start to be carried out at Stoke Mandeville?

The last planned caesarean sections will occur on Friday 16 October. After this time all planned sections will take place at Stoke Mandeville.

What will happen if I’m a patient at the Wycombe midwife-led birthing centre and there are complications during labour?

In a vast majority of cases, giving birth will be straightforward. Our highly-skilled midwives are trained to spot any potential problems or complications that may arise, and if you require extra help you will be transferred by ambulance, accompanied by a midwife, to our consultant-led service at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Using the midwife-led centre is a good alternative to giving birth at home.

If you have any concerns, please speak to your community midwife. 

Where do I take my child in an emergency?

If your child requires an ambulance, they will be taken to the most appropriate healthcare setting for treatment.

Please do not bring your child to Wycombe Hospital if they may be seriously ill or injured. They should instead be taken to an Accident and Emergency department (such as Stoke Mandeville Hospital).

Minor injuries can be seen at the Emergency Medical Centre and Minor Injuries Unit at Wycombe. Minor injuries include: cuts and bruises, sprains and strains, bites and stings, scalds and minor burns, infected wounds, suspected fractures.

GPs are often the most appropriate way to seek care for a wide range of minor illnesses and conditions. Please use them whenever possible. If you need a GP out-of-hours, contact the GP out-of-hours service by calling your GP practice.

My child currently has direct access into the Wycombe Ambulatory Children’s Unit (WACU), will this continue? 

Unless you have been advised otherwise by WACU, you can continue to use the unit.

What is happening to gynaecology services at Wycombe?

Wycombe’s gynaecology ward moved to Stoke Mandeville Hospital in June 2008. This followed the creation, for the first time, of a single dedicated ward for patients requiring an overnight stay in hospital for gynaecological conditions.

Day case surgery, a full range of outpatient and diagnostic services for women, including throughout pregnancy, as well as a full early pregnancy clinic with testing, all continue to be offered at Wycombe Hospital.