Fetal Medicine Centre, London

Given 'Vodkaboy's' experience (hungover or jetlagged perhaps?) I doubt *any* clinic would have been able to cope with his demands or would not have run into problems with his tight schedule of international flights.

Speaking as an actual patient I have had two procedures - a nuchal scan + plus bloods screening test and also a scan and anmniocentesis test in the last 3 months at this clinic. At both times I was given appointment times that fitted for when I needed it (I work full-time 1 hr outside London) and both times without waiting more than a week.

The clinic premises are FAR superior to any London city NHS hospital and I've been to three. Leather sofa's, halogen downlighters, spotlessly clean loo's with designer handwash and hand lotion, and freshly laundered individual handtowels to dry your hands on. Theres a posh coffee machine in Reception where you can help yourself to whatever you want to drink (No they don't serve it to you, this is not a cafe) and a rack of glossy magazines and daily newspapers to read.

Both occasions I had excellent care from a well trained scanner operator, who spent a good deal of time both explaining the scan, and counselling after the results. For the latter amnio test, I had a very long in-depth scan and was made completely aware of the procedure to be done, our motivations for wanting it and the risks involved. When the 'Prof'. arrived he introduced himself to me and my husband, and performed my amnio in 5 mins and i was grateful for both his swiftness and his jokes. They warn you when you make the appointment that he is often running late and also ask you to call them before your appointment time to be informed of when you should come in if he is late. My appointment finally came up 3 hrs after the original time but I was informed of this all afternoon and waited no longer than 5 mins when I did arrive to be seen. The 'Prof' sees his high risk patients earlier in the day and often spends a full hour with them... if I was that patient I'd be appreciative of that. There is no danger of losing your appt however - the clinic stays open until everyone with an appointment gets seen.

The only gripe I have was that immediately after the amnio test you need to sit and rest for a few minutes but once you're out thats basically it, and you don't get any further observation or aftercare. I paid my bill (debit card) and waited for my husband to get the car to come and pick me up.

I was told when to expect my results and received a phone call from a centre midwife less than 48 hours later.

Compared to the NHS the Fetal medicine Centre is like a pampering Spa compared to an NHS hospital, and you get the time and attention of a professional specialist rather than a underpaid overworked and underappreciated NHS employee working in well-worn if not grim, conditions. You are kept well informed with prompt response times - and I got all the paperwork confirming appointment times etc. within days of calling. They answer the phone promptly and are professional in responding to your queries, you don't get transferred from pillar to post and it doesn't matter who picks up the phone you get an answer without having to explain yourself 3 times.

The NHS doesn't offer the Nuchal +bloods screening test at all, and an amnio on the NHS can take a minimum of 2-3 wks for results. Here the results of the first procedure is known immediately, and as I already mentioned the second within 48-72 hrs.

Both times we felt it was well worth the money we spent (we are not covered by any insurance) and would recommend it to anybody that wants a private clinic services of this nature both to receive excellent diagnostic care and very fast result times for both procedures.