Reviews
Had my first baby here a few years ago, and had a wonderful experience aside from the anesthetist who was supposed to be there during business hours but decided to go home and take a full hour to return!. The food was good and the midwives were kind. Went back a few weeks ago to have an iron infusion at the birthing unit and was treated exceptionally well by the maternity staff. Looking forward to having my second baby there in a couple of weeks. Will update the review based on that experience.
Update on 2-Sept-2022: Norwest Private Hospital did contact us to get more information re my wife's experience and what occurred. My wife has provided the information. Original posting August-2022: My wife recently had major orthopaedic surgery at Norwest Private Hospital and was an inpatient for 4 days. It was our first experience with Norwest Private hospital. The staff were likely as caring as they could be - however they were mostly so busy that they could not provide an appropriate level of care. The staff were apologetic about the poor service but clearly they were overloaded with work and tired. One staff member lacked basic skills which is a major concern considering the importance of their role. The atmosphere here had the same feel as a regular Public / Government hospital - except that you had a private room. Staff morale appeared to be low. Not the standard you hope for when you are physically vulnerable and dependant on the hospital staff after surgery, and also considering the expense of top-level private hospital medical fund costs. I did subsequently read that Norwest Private has a parent owner that is an overseas Investment Asset Equity company. Hopefully they can divert some of their profits back into Norwest Private to help the staff and patients
My experience with the night shift staff in the wards at Norwest Private Hospital in Bella Vista is less then favourable. From my arrival at ICU until my relocation to the wards the ICU Staff on all shifts were fantastic, nothing was a problem as they were always courteous and professional with the patients. The day shift and afternoon shift taking care of the wards on level 3 are mostly courteous and professional as well with the odd nurse that may be intolerant or rude, however my experience with the night shift is completely different. One particular member of the nursing staff on the night shift is rude, and extremely reluctant to offer assistance to patients. I just finished using the urine bottle to go to the toilet and pushed the nurse call button to see if someone could possibly empty it for me because I’m trying to drink as much fluid as possible during my recovery and I will need the bottle again. When the nurse entered my room I politely asked if she could empty the bottle because I knew it wouldn’t be long till I needed it again, and it was much easier for me to physically use the bottle then it is to try and walk to the toilet due to the unforeseen complications experienced during surgery. The nurse immediately became indignant as she looked down at my feet and said, not asked, “CANT YOU WALK TO THE TOILET!!” Even though I explained that it was much easier for me to physically use the bottle at present she showed no empathy or care for my circumstance. Once the bottle was empty she abruptly put it back in the holder and stormed out of the room in an extremely rude and ignorant manner. As a patient in recovery the nurse immediately made me feel as though I had caused her a major form of inconvenience . Early this morning I went to message my family and the phone had fallen off the bed and on to the floor so I pushed the nurse call button seeking assistance, I pushed the button three times because all I could hear was laughter and load chatter around the main desk near my room and no one was coming to answer the call. When the same rude nurse walked in the room I apologetically explained my phone had fallen on the ground and asked if she would mind getting it for me. The nurse immediately began grumbling and mumbling under her breathe then abruptly handed me the phone and began to storm out of the room. I asked when the shift change was happening and she abruptly replied “RIGHT NOW!!” and I replied by saying “Thank goodness for that!” As she slammed the door on her way out. I have been respectful, courteous and encouraging to all the staff because I believe the ones that truly care do an amazing job and deserve recognition for the monumental effort they put in to caring for patients.
I attended Norwest Private for a surgery and found the hospital staff very friendly and caring. Overnight stay in the surgical ward was also very comfortable. The nursing staff and the entire surgical team are absolutely amazing. As it was my first surgery, I was obviously very anxious and stressed, however the surgical team was very kind and were able to put my mind at ease. The food provided was high standard and quality compared to other public hospitals around. The recovery room was well equipped with TV and en-suite bathroom. Overall I highly recommend this hospital for surgeries and overnight stays.
I was admitted in surgical ward for 3 days and I had worst hospital stay experience. I had a lovely nurse in recovery unit but The nursing staff did not care at all in the surgical ward. I press the nurse bell to go the toilet but the nurse came in and told me not to press the bell and told me I can go to toilet by myself and I don’t require any assistance, I was only 1 day post op patient and was weak and dizzy.They did not even come once to see how I was doing. The only time they came was to give me my medication. If I would have stayed even one day more in that hospital I would have been more sick. I wouldn’t even give 1 star to this hospital staff. The nursing staff needs to have knowledge of total patient care not just show up to give medication. I hope no one have to gone through the same experience specially when they are sick and needs help.
I had to visit the Norwest Emergency at 3am in the morning, accompanied by my husband due to dehydration from acute nausea and vomiting. When we arrived, there was one receptionist present, who immediately on first impression, was not very nice or welcoming. She grumpily gave us some forms to fill out, and not even asking how I was doing, even though I was severely dehydrated and about to pass out. It was very obvious that I was extremely sick, but there seemed to be no urgency, as we sat in the empty emergency room, with no other patient waiting, until finally a male nurse walked in to triage us. The nurse also was not particularly nice, didn't show any empathy to me, and was certainly in no rush or any sense of urgency. He took me in and asked my husband to stay outside for 5 mins, with no explanation of what was happening. The nurse did not show any empathy nor listen to my request after i told him that i would prefer some anesthetic for my cannula. I was there for the whole night and and did not see the doctor until the next morning to which i was then told that I could be discharged with no further information given. When asked about the blood test results he said that the results weren't out. I was still vomiting by then and was concerned about his decision to discharge me without being fully recovered. I could also hear the staff including the doctor were happily chatting away in the emergency room. During discharge, I had to ask for a copy of my blood test results and a script for nausea and vomiting. I was then told that the doctor was too busy and it could be another 2- 3 hour wait for the script. I also was not given enough information on after care and what to expect after discharge which I felt was essential seeing I was not fully recovered. Overall the experience was well below what we expected from a private hospital charging $400 before even getting to see someone. The staff in the emergency room are lack of empathy, patient care and professionalism.
Great facilities and the staff are for the most part lovely, but I had a couple of strange encounters with the ED. I understand it’s an ED, which the patient who was clearly in severe pain was reminded of, but please keep in mind yourselves we’re all trying here and there’s no reason to scold people. COVID has been rough on us all, especially those in healthcare with all the staff shortages, but I’ve never experienced this kind of behaviour with any other ED. When it came to paying a surgery fee at the main hospital I was unnecessarily rushed. I had just filled out the forms and was alone at the time, trying to help the patient answer some questions before she went into surgery and intended to go out to pay the surgery fee after. I explained this to the receptionist at the main desk who seemed fine about it, but then had a receptionist from a different department chase me about what I already said I would do. The patient was about to go into the operating theatre, and I was just down the hall. We were also granted a refund in ED, and the receptionist in ED was extremely rude about it when I inquired if all the details were clear. She scoffed and said something along the lines of, if the details aren’t clear you’re not going to be refunded. Apparently it was only clear enough to process. The administrative staff do not seem to care at all about processing anything accurately, and the bottom line seems to be money. I would know, as I had to follow up a pathology bill where one number was off on the Medicare card and it hadn’t even been clarified if it’d be covered by bulk billing, which was in fact the case. On the other hand, thank you to the lovely receptionists at the main desk who helped locate a misplaced handbag post surgery.
Go elsewhere. A 3 hour wait for an epidural is unacceptable and it was physically and emotionally distressing to say the least. The 2 stars given is for the few nurses and midwives who were lovely -they deserve 5 stars. Unfortunately, it felt as though the maternity ward was understaffed and therefore nurses and midwives were too busy to take the time to truly help me as a first time mum. Staff seemed overworked and were therefore abrupt where gentle advice and care was needed. Resources were often hard to come by and my partner was left to work out how to access and clean equipment with no assistance. We've since followed up with the hospital, however, their assurances for a better experience in the future for myself and other mothers did not leave me comforted.
I had a surgery a month ago, I was scared as it was the second time that I had to undergo the same surgery. Nurse Sue was extremely patient and caring. I am forever grateful for her kind words and understanding of my pain. Without her I would be really lost. I would also like to thank nurse Jazz and Mona would really took take of me . Thank you again..
We were advised to return to ED if there was ongoing pain with my 84 year old grandmothers wrist fracture. Now representing to ED, the treating doctor responds with "what would you like me to do in ED?" after we requested further investigation and review with her specialist as instructed. After the nature of the break was borderline surgical intervention but he would know that if he asked! we were keen to know if this was worsening the cause. The doctor wanted to give her Endone with a history of extensive constipation and was keen to discharge as quickly as possible. I had to listen to all this feedback AND I'm in the medical industry. There are far more hospitals to present to without the arrogance, ignorance and sheer stupidity from what is meant to be a trusted clinician. Heaven forbid anyone treats their family member like that one day- would love to see how they feel about it. Will ensure my family do not return as your staff are oblivious to the most important part of the job - patient centred care!