West Haldimand General Hospital

Recently had a day surgery experience. Checked in with a sweet receptionist that called me “love”, so comforting. Surgery is never a fun experience. Was escorted to the waiting area by a kind, knowledgeable volunteer, named Brett. Short wait, still on scheduled time for my surgery I always show up early for appointments. 2 nurses then took my nervous self to a clean and tidy prep room, where they calmly instructed me on the next steps in this process. My belongings were bagged and returned to me, in full, in recovery room. I was extremely afraid of sedation, and they remained reassuring, and that I could speak to the anesthetist. A kind anesthetist then met with me to discuss sedation and I agreed to a small dose, only. Procedure completed and back in recovery room, wide awake, and a very nice nurse assessing me. She offered me something to drink, which I accepted. She answered any questions with knowledge and then wheeled me to the door for pickup.nNot sure where all the negative reviews are coming from. Recently retired from the medical profession, I can honestly say there are a lot of factors involved that the every day person is not aware of. Maybe that staff was having a bad day, or had to work overtime due to staff shortage. Maybe that nurse on the cell phone was arranging day care, or ordering take out, because she had to work a few more hours due to shortage, or hadn’t had a break and needed to check something on their cell, which they would normally do on their break. Maybe they were rude because it was your “approach” colliding with their bad day. Waits for ER walk ins could be longer if staff are dealing with traumas that you can’t see. Wait times in ER can be long wherever you go, sometimes showing up at the right moment, you can get right in. This is reality, today, and people need to accept it !

I was coming here at first to write a 5 star review until the end of my 5 hour experience turned into a 1 star review.nI can say everyone from the moment I walked in that hospital was wonderful except for Dr. Alexander who I had seen at the end of my visit.nMy god…. was he ignorant and belittling.nn*Never bring your child here as he’ll tell you if you think they're sicker than they actually are to bring them to Mac where they actually belong. he told me my child had pneumonia when assessing him but after x-rays were done results showed he has Bronchiolitis STILL SICK WITH SOMETHING he wouldn’t let me explain myself nor even let me speak … it truly was a crazy conversation and I’m sad it had to end that way.

The emergency department at this hospital has absolutely zero respect for patients and leaves the “care” out of healthcare. No matter how polite you are to the attending staff, you are made to feel you are a burden. For example in December of 2023 we brought in our just over 4 month old baby because his temperature wasn’t changing he had a cough that would make you tear up and he was losing interest in breastfeeding. As she was looking at two concerned first time parents the attending nurse had the audacity to say to my wife “you know they make Tylenol right?”. Immediately I turned my wife around who was now sobbing and we drove to McMaster. The diagnosis for my son was he had covid and RSV, but the attending nurse dismissed us so flippantly. Disgusting behaviour. On top of this any time that I personally go in for a chest infection or fever symptoms, I either get asked why did I come in so soon or why did I wait so long to come in. When asked when the “right” time to come in is, interestingly no one has an answer. As a healthcare provider I would assume you’re supposed to care about patients.

Today Sept 3, 2024. A very ignorant, hostile nurse wearing green OR scrubs and a white lab coat was above and beyond unprofessional and heartless with my sister. My sister went in for some tests at 1030 this am and returned to the waiting room without batting an eyelash. After more than 4 hours and people coming and going long after her was told she would NOT be getting a room and would receive her results in the waiting room.nFirst off not only is that unacceptable but a breach of confidentiality. The entire waiting room is not privy to that information.nWhen the same nurse was politely asked when it would be her time to see the Dr. This so called public figure called a NURSE told my sister VERY rudely to be patient there were other people there besides her.nShe has not been checked on, offered medication for pain or even water in over 7 hrs.nThis poor excuse for a nurse should be ashamed of herself.nAs for the Dr., we get emergencies come first. But when things settle it wouldnt kill you to give someone their results and send them on their way. 10 minutes to ease a patient and let them know what's going on so they can go home to rest is NOT asking a lot.nAs for the pathetic excuse for a nurse. I will find your name and report you not only to the hospital but ONA as well.nYou're behavior makes me sick!nIf I could give zero Stars and a negative number I would however Google's much nicer than I am.nI hope Karma finds you

Went in for an x ray 9:36am Monday morning. Gave my health card to the friendly receptionist before I dealt with a lovely x ray tech named Becky and walked out at 9:45 with x rays completed, doctor called with results less than 30 minutes after that. Place was clean, comfortable and friendly.