South Coast Private, Mental Health Hospital

My mother and I desperately called this facility trying to get a loved one admitted. We were met with complete lack of help, empathy and respect.
After calling multiple times to try and get some clarity on how we go about the process we were utterly shocked at how little the receptionist wanted to help and couldn’t believe her tone, considering she works in a place that is meant to “care” for people is actually extremely concerning, she ended up causing my mother to burst into tears.
We wanted to get this loved one in asap but because “Laura” was so rude and downright awful to communicate with over the phone it ultimately led to our decision not to take the admission further.
I would suggest that you Laura just even “pretend” to care and perhaps take your job more seriously and I don’t know.maybe help when someone calls rather then brush it off and say there is nothing you can do or even just explain the process to educate us.
Ended up causing us to be anxious and felt uncomfortable sending someone in that kind of state into a facility with that kind of attitude as first point of contact. We were left baffled. Sorry to write this but I don’t want anyone else to feel the way we did after this.

Whilst the psychiatrist I see at the Wollongong Clinic is amazing. There is much to be said about the front desk staff. They are rude, condescending and have no business working with vulnerable people. They go against their own policies and then when questioned try and back track or blame 'new staff'. Contacting the staff causes significant amount of anxiety. They need to do better or hire people who have some understanding of people with mental health.

Poor level of care from my Psychiatrist. Careless Dr who seemed more interested getting me out of the door than treating me.

I loved my stay here, the staff and people in the restaurant where so amazing. I felt so at home. I. Coming back on the 8th of aug and I'm counting down the days. As it's truely so helpful and I can't stress enough how beneficial it was for me. Dr Allison is the most caring doctor. Thank you scp I can't wait to come back.

After having expensive assessments done for professional diagnosis. All they want is for me to have more costly assessments that I cannot afford. And to see another psychiatrist there, more money. Hospital admission very expensive and no after care support in the community or referrals. I now realise I should have looked at a psychiatrist who can actually deal with my diagnosis properly. After nearly 5 years of treatment and thousands of dollars, worse off.

Dr Stevenson is incompetent and unethical. He sends the incorrect information to patients. This is a gross mistake in his field. My partner does not need to know the diagnosis and trauma of strangers nor do they need to know hers. His incompetent emails have been forwarded to the HCCC

I’m not usually one for reviews but I just wanted to thank Rebecca, the receptionist who has been the most accomodating, patient and understanding person I have ever dealt with over the phone. There were some discrepancies I was trying to figure out and Rebecca could not have been more helpful. After too many phone calls and inquiries on my part, she solved a problem in one hour that would have been a concern for two months without her help. So grateful!

Rooms are lovely, food is delicious and nurses are so kind and caring. I was under the care of Dr Stevenson while I was there and Dr Stewart is my regular Psychiatrist- both are amazing!

Dispite my impatience and anxiety and frequent calling the admissions staff have worked really well to get me admitted.

You have a day group entitled "psychological injury". You need one which deals with psychiatric injury.

The place looks good on the outside, renovated hotel with lovely bedrooms. But unfortunately that’s where it stops. Nurses are inexperienced. And if you put in a complaint they shut you down and refuse to address any issues. Still to this day no one has returned my call. However one positive is Dr Williams leaving, couldn’t manage her own caseload (well known around the hospital). Not sure how she will go managing a hospital, if she can’t do the basis of a psychiatrist. No where for her to hide now. She changed my diagnosis post discharge, but refused to speak to me (as well as the hospital). Only would speak to my worker’s compensation case manager. Made me worse.

I’ve been to other places but I got to tell that No other hospital can do better. The nurses are so lovely and great at their job. The Psychologists are all top notch, however you shouldn’t let Merrylord go. Dr Griskaitis is simply the best. The kitchen and housekeeping are outstanding the reception and the clinic are very friendly. Thanks SCP

Disappointed after being discharge from northern Beaches Private needed more therapy mental health side of things and these guys just flat out said no because I’m on bail no conditions had a criminal police clearance done and still no flat out no i had all the relevant documents been clean for over six weeks and still no so encouraging Considering I would’ve been a paying customer Thought was Support might of been available Shocked! Renee Suffolk

Disgusting. This hospital discriminates against people who suffer from mental health. Denying treatment and choosing to only take double vaccinated people who do not carry a medical mask exemption.

I recently was discharged from SCP and after speaking with my private therapist today and sharing some things from the group, I learnt and realised on of the group therapists overshared her personal life about her kids way too much which now when I think about it more is very triggering and I couldn't identify what was making me so distressed in the group. I am posting under my husbands account but plan to contact the hospital via email to let them know of this too. I just think others should be aware it happens and can be quite unprofessional and triggering.

My partner is in doing the drug and alcohol program and honestly, hold your enemies close and ykhr wallet closer. This hospital is in the middle of druge central which is interesting given their program. Its a triggering place for my partner

I am currently an inpatient and have been sitting in my room so distraught and beside myself for the last however many hours and no one has even bothered to check or find out what's wrong. I called Lifeline instead and told them where I was and the lady said "I have only heard bad things about that hospital". It's interesting Lisa down below is calling people keyboard warriors when everyone's experience is different, just as mine has been difficult and unsupportive unlike hers. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. It's not good enough I haven't been checked on for hours given they know my trauma.

I am a current in-patient at South Coast Private Hospital. I have been here for almost three weeks completing the 'Managing Distress and Tolerance' program. From the moment I arrived through the front doors in a chronically depressed and anxious state, I have been treated with dignity, respect and with the utmost of care. I suffer from a number of mental health injuries including complex PTSD, depression and anxiety.

Over the past 12 months I have had three other admissions at other facilities and South Coast Private is far and above the best I have encountered. From the facilities (including a well equipped gym that is open all day, art/craft room which is also open all day, large private rooms with a refrigerator, washing/drying rooms, large outdoor area with table tennis, outdoor furniture and sunning lounges) to classes that not only cover mental illnesses but how to cope in the 'real world' such as nutrition, exercise, and managing money. These classes are so very important for people like me as it all ties in with my PTSD symptoms and actions. This gives me greater confidence for when I leave here and return to my family. Due to these classes, I am now fully aware that many of my unhealthy decisions and actions are all tied in to my PTSD and depression.

There are also yoga, meditation, relaxation, sewing, ukulele and juggling classes (to name but a few) which are not only important for gaining self-confidence in a safe environment but are important life skills for people learning how to cope with a mental illness in a normal environment.

The food is excellent. Cooked fresh with the highest standards of ingredients. The staff in the dining are can't do enough to assist with special requests or diets. It is literally like attending a restaurant 3 times a day!

The staff are excellent - the front counter, cleaning and maintenance staff are always willing to stop and assist with anything I need. If they can't do it on the spot, they always get back to me. Nothing is too much of a problem for them. Even if it is for a quick chat to see how I am coping.

The nursing staff are also brilliant. They show a level of empathy and care that I have not encountered before. Always there with a smile and they have an uncanny ability to pick my mood just by looking at me. Their assistance to me has been priceless and they are ALWAYS available whenever I need them.

Another huge benefit that I have not encountered previously is the access to my allocated in-house psychiatrist. In other facilities I saw my psychiatrist once a week for a 15 minute check-in based mainly on medications. Since I have been here, I have seen my psychiatrist between 3-4 times per week for 30-60 minutes appointments where we discuss my day to day struggles along with setting progress targets and even involving my partner in my treatment. I can see that he is well invested in my treatment and care whilst here. So much so that I made the decision to transfer my care from my outside psychiatrist to Dr Benjamin Allard here at the hospital.

The content of the group classes is also of a high level. I have learnt so much about my disease and the cause/effect of my actions when I am unwell. I have already been able to use these skills which gives me confidence that I will be able to continue to utilise them when I return home.

In finality, I highly recommend this facility for others who are seeking help with their mental illness/es. I am confident that my ongoing treatment here will assist me to learn how to live a life worth living when I return home.

Rebecca Fitzgerald

I was assaulted by a large male patient whilst recently doing an inpatient stay. He threw a piece of furniture at me then attempted to physically assault me whilst verbally threatening to kill me and if it wasn't for another male patient restraining the man, he would have caused me severe physical harm. The supervising nurses dealt with it by telling me and other witnesses not to tell anybody what occurred, and informally discharging me from the hospital with zero paperwork, without offering me an avenue to contact police nor returning my essential medications to me. They are currently severely understaffed.

CEO is awful, the hospital is awful, the groups are terrible, Andthe staff at Wollongong clinic are ignorant and rude