St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital — Attraction in St. Thomas

I am a longtime healthcare worker at LHSC but briefly helped in the Pharmacy department at STEGH when they were understaffed there many years ago.

At that time, I had the immense pleasure of working with a wonderful group of folks and was always impressed with both their friendliness and capabilities.

Fast forward to present day and I now work part-time on weekends at a clinic pharmacy in St. Thomas.

Even though I no longer work at STEGH, I still go there every two weeks after my community shift in order to get a COVID test.

My beloved father is in LTC so the test is required for me to see him.

When I could no longer access the overwhelmed testing centers in London this fall, I wasn't able to see my dad.

However, I discovered that STEGH was an option and it's accessibility fit perfectly with my weekend shifts there.

Aside from the availability and convenience, what I really wanted to comment on is the amazingly friendly and efficient service that your testing centre staff provide.

The staff I have dealt with, from check-in to swabbing, have always been warm, welcoming and very good at what they do.

Their approach and capability is reminiscent of my time with the Pharmacy staff there many years ago.

Having gone through the process in London several times, your staff is to be congratulated on the great job they are doing, especially with the risks involved.

Just so they know how much it means to me personally, I hadn't been able to see my father for three weeks by early October because of inaccessibility to testing in London.

Secondary to the rise in community cases at that time, his nursing home had also stopped all visits except from essential caregivers like myself.

Testing at STEGH allowed me not only to see my father in early October after our 3 week hiatus, but also to touch him for the first time since March.

I am usually pretty upbeat when I see my dad, but I cried when I was finally able hold his hand and stroke his hair on that day.

Both of my parents have also been patients at STEGH in the past, with my mother receiving chemotherapy there and my father surgery.

My family was very comforted by the top-notch care and kindness they always received there.

So whether a quick COVID test or repeated chemotherapy treatments, a brief surgical stay or a long-ago Pharmacy experience, I remain grateful for the care that your staff has always provided to myself and my family.

We are lucky to...

I sent this directly to the Hospital Admin and am sharing (some) of it here.

I would like to pass on a huge THANK YOU to the 3rd Floor Nursing Staff, and Dr Roe, and the nurses and anesthesiologists involved with my surgery. this past March of 2021

Everyone, from those in admitting and preparing me for the surgery, to those in OR and in Recovery, and for those involved during my stay on 3rd Floor.

I actually told family that the care, consideration, concern and efficiencies of everyone, amazed me. To say having surgery was thrilling is completely wrong, but the staff truly showed compassion and attentiveness. Even as I was brought into surgery there was consideration for me.

Too often (we) hear of complaints regarding hospitals and everyone is quick to point, out what they feel, was disagreeable to them. I haven't contacted the hospital before and now feel that I should most certainly have done so, considering the numerous times I've had surgery, both day surgery and for longer stays.

Due to covid restrictions, I felt all care was taken during these trying times to ensure safety for all.

Also, unfortunately I had a return visit but to Emergency and although I understand not all privacy can be maintained, due to restrictions, when the second process of checking in involves staff speaking through the microphone speaker behind plexiglass, it is inevitable that sound will carry and yes, some personal information may be overheard, such as allergy confirmation and address etc. It is unfortunate, but I really don't think any patients waiting for care are interested in such, if they do pay attention to what is being said. The only way to avoid this would be to have yet another private room for this part of the process. I doubt that is doable since said room, if there was space to set aside for this, would have to be wiped down after each person. I've never heard any staff ''yell'' information through the microphone... unless perhaps they spoke more loudly due to the person being unable to hear/understand them??

During this Emerg visit all care and precautions were taken and my situation dealt with in a rapid process, considering there were 10 people ahead of me in the waiting room! Staff were all considerate kind and efficient.

Most...

I rate this hospital a three I’ll explain why. I was in a car accident Sunday may 28 on the 401 near shedden Ontario it was choice between london or st Thomas hospital I got to meet beck and Susan to name a few of the amazing staff that treated me with kindness and dignity and the best health care possible it was a nice experience for the early morning service I received. To note I am not from the st Thomas area nor did I know this town existed. I was released and had to figure out how I would make it home to Toronto or to my destination moms house in Windsor. I tried to figure it out it was getting late and my resources were getting shorter and shorter as I had no friends or family in the area that could help me just to get out of st Thomas which basically has little to no public transportation. I went back to St Thomas Elgin general hospital at around 930 to ask if I could sit in the lobby til morning or be checked in because I was still in pain. I was meet with rude behaviour disdained looks and dismissive rhetoric. Not even a smile this woman wanted to turn my way. I explained my situation to the lady at the desk this night I had to provoke her into giving me any info as to where I could go so I wasn’t sitting outside in a place I don’t know. I am still a young female not addicted to drugs I’m not judging anyone here I’m just pointing out she quickly told me about “inn out of the cold” I am grateful for a place like this but it is still unfavourable to send vulnerable persons anywhere. The inhumanity I was met with from this lady put a bad taste in my mouth and I pray it had nothing to do with my skin colour as I’m a black young female…… shame on that emergency check in nurse I felt horrible as I had to walk in pain almost 2km to the inn the staff were nice and accommodating as possible and tried to keep me safe where they could grateful for Stegh morning staff and the inn for doing the most for an out of towner who was...