Most recent experience December 2023---- Cannot fault this time around! I had the loveliest midwife called Jo when I stayed overnight and she truly is a credit to the NHS. Due to previous anxiety and trauma, I asked to be placed in a private side room, although I was told this couldn't be guaranteed, eg if there were other mums with a higher clinical need, all efforts were made to get me a room and this was accomodated due to my mental health. I had a c section again and my Richard was also fantastic at keeping me calm and supporting me through the procedure. Our midwife, Nicky who supported us in the c section was amazing as well, keeping me distracted, calm and being my cheerleader throughout. First experience in 2022---- Gave birth here a few weeks ago. Felt very pushed into induction by a consultant I saw at Bournemouth, however she also does rounds at Poole. At first I was on the antenatal ward, and my first midwife was Emma, who was amazing. She was really supportive, discussed things clearly with me and was a better communicator than the other male consultant I then saw that day to discuss risks and benefits of my induction. I was there overnight and for two more shift changes, the next midwifes were lovely as well. When I did go into labour I had the best midwife, if anyone ever gets her for your labour you have struck gold! Thank you to Izzy for guidance, support and you're infectious energy. Once shift change over happened, we had another lovely midwife called Zoe. Also absolutely brilliant, supportive and great at her job. Both women very empathetic. My only negative in the experience was the postnatal ward, when I got on there, there was a midwife called Amanda who seemed to hate being there and didn't have a very good attitude at all. Don't know if this was a bad day for her but I felt like each time I called and she came in the room I was bothering her. Also on the night shift there was an extremely rude support worker, unfortunately don't remember her name but she was a larger lady with blonde hair. Treated me like an idiot, called me "young lady" in a patronising tone and I dreaded her coming in any time I called the bell! However in the morning shift, when I left the ward that day, another midwife called Fiona made up for the night as she again was brilliant. I felt very looked after, she updated me the whole time on what was going on, when I could go home, what comes next etc. She was really supportive and caring, and again seemed to love her job. Another positive was the registrar that was on shift and performed my c section, Sophie and David, who was my anesthesiologist. Again both were amazing at telling me what was happening step by step, what would happen next, processes, risks and benefits and very supportive. Overall a positive birth experience, the only thing that let it down were the two rude members of staff on the post natal.

Wow! Where do I start? What an incredible team & such a great hospital I couldn’t fault any of you from start to finish. Unfortunately I was in a situation that I had to travel to Poole to have my baby induced due to another maternity unit being so full they started my induction plan then left me waiting for 2 days to be told I needed to now travel to Poole. Or wait 2 more days to have my baby who was already 14 days over due. Which put my baby at higher risk. Thankfully Poole accepted the transfer and welcomed us with open arms. When we arrived at Poole maternity unit I was scared, out of my comfort zone, no family local etc… this team was a delight. From the start to finish! Lisa & Amy who started off my induction thank you for making me feel at home. Rosie for then taking over the evening and delivering our little rainbow harlie, & also for being so amazing with dad and supporting him through! Helena, thank you for the after care, letting us stuff our face with McDonald’s & sneaking daddy in the recovery ward alittle earlier than normal so he didn’t have to sleep in the car. Lucy & Nat, thank you for making me feel at home, advising us on all the best options, even making sure dad got some food every day as we spent a fortune on travel parking & overnight accommodation etc… that was just the start! You let me cry on your shoulders, supported me when I was away from my family children & kept dad happy so I didn’t have any more worries in my head. The support and love has not gone unnoticed & if I ever change my mind on any more babies I’ll be coming back to you guys! (There are plenty of more people I could name) but unfortunately I don’t remember them all! Can I just say, NHS is under a big strain and these midwives doctors & support teams don’t get recognised enough! If I could have gave you all a massive bonus I would! But I will give you a tip; none of you ever change, you have all been such a big part of this journey one I will never forget & women I will forever be grateful to have had by our side supporting us! Harlie will always be apart of Poole now. Thank you all so much!

I'm a grandparent. Visiting my daughter after birth . To find the place is dirty. Floor is filthy. Medication is given late. Often have to ask for it. Give you high hopes coming home to find at the last min that's not happening all of a sudden . Feel they tell you what you want to here. Causing stress to new mothers. Horrible place....

Had my first baby in Poole Maternity in the Haven ward. The midwife’s who were supporting me through my labour experience were incredible. The name of the midwife was Lucy and another student paramedic sorry I don’t remember your name. Thanks to them I had a very calming labour and they welcomed my baby boy into the world safe and happy and healthy. They are all amazing at Poole and take very good care of you during your time there.

We’ve had our first baby here just a couple of weeks ago and I can truly say this was an amazing experience mainly due to the midwifes, doctors and nurses there. The surgery team was amazing, walking us through every step and make sure that both me and my other half were okay every few minutes. They have even offered to take photos for us before and after the operation. Throughout the whole delivery they made us feel special, answered every question and clarified every concern, and I have to say that it felt like that wasn’t just one more surgery for them in a day at work like any other day. Once we were moved on the TCU we were again impressed by the care and empathy of the staff there. I’m sorry I couldn’t remember the names of all the staff there that were truly amazing,but I can say that every single one did an amazing job looking after me and my little one even though they sometimes seemed swamped and under immense pressure. Mel was the one that looked after us first, and Joe helped on the day we were released, and offering to help with the tongue tie before we were dismissed made a huge difference for my first couple of days of breastfeeding! I’m sorry I can’t remember the name of one of the student midwifes that were there on the last night but I can say she was clearly made for this job! Not only she was kind and caring, but was also extremely keen to help, extremely confident and seemed like she had been doing this job for over 20 years! This truly was an amazing experience for us and all the credit goes to the wonderful staff at St Mary’s!

I had my first child at Poole Maternity in 2017 and I had a really awful experience in the way I was treated throughout. I have just had my second son, via elective c section, again at Poole and if I am honest I was really worried about this. I now feel silly for worrying, because my experience this time was absolutely wonderful, I couldn’t fault them if I tried. The services and the staff have improved massively, I felt supported, heard and respected the whole time. I only stayed in for one night, and my partner was unable to stay as I was on a ward (not that they didn’t try their hardest to get me a private room due to medical reasons but there was none available) but they were so amazing with me, even taking my son for an hour so I could rest. The food was really nice for hospital food, lots of options and well prepared. I would fully recommend to anyone. I only had one issue with at a scan with a very rude midwife at 20 weeks but even then they were quick to sort out the issue and I didn’t see that woman again. I would give them more stars if I could!

Horrible!!!! My sister gave birth here a week ago. Her experience was absolutely horrific. Starting from the fact that she was left with her water broken for 48 hours without any intervention and with no amniotic fluid left, of course the birth was extremely difficult both for her and for the baby who had to be pulled with forceps. The next day she was told that they both developed an infection from her water breaking for too long, so it was also their fault. It's already been a week since they are still in the hospital and my sister is still not getting a concrete answer about what is happening with her baby. one doctor tells her something, another doctor comes and tells her something else. just imagine what it's like to be a mother for a few days and the doctors give the impression that they don't understand each other and each one comes with their own diagnosis. I can't say how tormented the baby was in just one week of life. More recently, the baby's file with all the tests was lost. . I'm sorry that there is such a staff that gives the impression of incompetence. Or it's just carelessness.

Gave birth here I would not recommended to anyone!! Ended up needing interventions because i begged for hours for help they left me in absolute agony for hours… I had to get to a point of screaming & crying for a C-section to help me I’ve heard so many horror stories about this hospital I watched my sister give birth and had to beg for help aswel… next time I will be choosing Dorchester.