Madonna rejects 'Victorian' UK hospitals

Madonna left Britain to give birth

LONDON (CNN) -- News of the latest addition to Madonna's family came hours after she dismissed British hospitals as "old and Victorian."

The star has been living in London with her boyfriend British film director Guy Ritchie, who is the father of Rocco.

But she seemed incredulous when asked in an interview on Los Angeles radio station KIIS FM whether she would give birth in Britain.

"Come on now, have you been to the hospitals in England?"

She went on to describe them as "old and Victorian."

	ALSO
Madonna gives birth to a boy

Madonna told the interviewer shortly before the birth that every country's health service was different and Britain was "great."

"But I like efficiency."

But Royal College of Nursing Midwifery adviser Vicki Allanach defended the NHS.

She told the BBC that UK hospitals needed to be brought up to the best possible standards for every woman.

"There is now a renewed focus on the essentials of care -- privacy, dignity and hygiene -- which should start to make a real difference to patients' experiences," she said.

A Department of Health spokesperson declined to comment on the star's remarks on the state of the country's hospitals.

"We of course wish her luck in her pregnancy," he added.

Madonna home sold: $7.5 million
June 29, 2000
Madonna: Husband and child
March 3, 2000
Interview: Madonna reviews life on Larry King Live
January 19, 1999

102.7 KIIS-FM
Madonna Profile
Email Madonna
Madonna links
Madonna fan club
Welcome to the Department of Health Website

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.