Shellharbour Hospital — Local services in Illawarra

Years ago (probably about 7 to 10?) my friend was there because of severe depression and suicidal thoughts. They never listened or helped in any way, They didn't even look at her while she was talking and explaining why she was depressed. They just kept doing what they were doing and occasionally nodded without even raising their eyes. One doctor in particular was unbelievably bad, almost inhuman. He kept telling my friend that her father was dead and that she was on her own again and again.... He ordered the nurses to give her meds because of delusions when she mentioned her achievements - achievements for which she has received praise and awards worldwide (I know for sure because I check her emails when she is unwell) and she also got into Who's Who. That doc was a real shame not only for the hospital, but for the human race at large.I once saw him while visiting. He was huge, dark, didn't speak much English and just didn't know what he was doing. I hope he lost his job. I don't think I saw him again, so I really hope he's gone. As far as giving attention to patients is concerned - forget it. I have even read that a patient recently killed another patient because he was very sick and they were not watching him. So not much...

The lady at the reception desk this morning when I called (approximately 9:30am) was VERY rude.

I called up to kindly let someone know that I have sent through a fax and she simply said 'I can't help you with that' and 'well, who do you want to speak to because I can't help you' and I informed her of the situation that I wasn't sure who I was after as I was sending through request forms for a patient and they too were unsure of the staff there who had attended to their needs to of-course I was unsure of who to ask for, I was simply letting someone know I had sent through a fax and in return was talked to rudely and she transferred the phone call to someone else without even informing me.

Although I have not been to the hospital, I am a receptionist myself and know for a fact that even if you are having a bad day you should always be polite to people calling and not take it out on them and be so so rude as it makes your business look bad.

Very disappointed! I'm sure your hospital is a sound place and doing very well but I can easily say that anyone who has an encounter with that receptionist again will not want to visit...

Ive been a patient for 2.5 weeks in the Renal Centre of Shellharbor Public Hospital. During this time the kitchen staff delivering tea, coffee & snacks have the impression that we should not receive a coffee & a small juice together with our morning tea. The renal patients that have to have regular dialysus spend some time completing their regular dialysis. I myself have to drive home after completing my treatment & many times my blood pressure is very low, which requires addititional fluids to maintain a safe level of blood pressure to drive home. Every patient has different circumstances & different medical ailments. By denying patients sustenenace is not in the best interest in promoting a healthy envirement in this hospital system. Its only hot water & a sweetener immersed in hot water with a drop of milk. Surely this petty behaviour should not be promoted by any health complex. Even the Correctional Centres would not deny prisoners a cup of coffe. This might sound petty, but small things end up becoming bigger problems. Very disapointed patient.

John Lappos. PS. Not all staff behave in such fashion,...