Epworth Freemasons (Victoria Parade)

I was asked to arrive at 1 then found out my surgery was at 4 and running late so I had to wait in the waiting room for 3/ and 1/2 hours. This is a ridiculous wait time. Patients should be asked to arrive closer to their surgery.

In our days of most uncertainty and total unknown as first time parents, we were visited in our room by a different new nurse every 8 hours. Each and everyone of them would explain to us and teach us something in a different way than the previous one and than the one after. So when I think we’re supposed to have a bit of a peace of mind, we would spend hours googling and comparing and choosing on line, as oceans of doubts were constantly stressing us.

Maybe unifying ways and normalising procedures might help future parents to spend those first 5 days of your new born’s life a bit less concerned and worried and perplexed.

We were also a bit surprised to see some of the nurses just once, as they were casuals, making kind of difficult to trust someone new every few hours.

My partner, after child birth was bleeding heavily. After THE THIRD DAY and no one coming to change our dirty with blood bed sheets, and after requesting but without any action taken by hospital staff, I had to leave the room in the middle of the night, take whatever we needed from a cupboard I found and leave the used set on the floor to be collected. The room did not get cleaned for the duration of our 5 day stay there.

She was asked if she’d prefer epidural anaesthesia to help her coping with the pain, but no one mentioned that weeks later we’d be receiving a bill at home for the anaesthetist.

Our newborn happened to have jaundice, so blood tests were needed and a night under special lights was arranged. Bills for these tests were just delivered to our address too.

We wonder if another bill for the ultra violet lights will come soon as well.

These are not unreasonable complains when attending a private hospital, and supposedly being fully covered by our insurance.

OB and delivery of the baby were both superb for us.

Update: yes, we got a $2.5K bill for intensive care due to that jaundice, something no one mentioned at the time it ocurred.

Good afternoon
I only had to drop something off at pathology however with the amount of money you charge patients being a private hospital, how about updating your disabled facilities!
A ramp out the front would be great
Automatic door for the disabled toilet
And the glass door leading out from Parade Place on to Victoria Pde, how about an extra step instead of the massive high step from the sidewalk

Just a thought

Regards

Deborah Deckys

In our days of most uncertainty and total unknown as first time parents, we were visited in our room by a new nurse every 8 hours. Each and everyone of them would explain to us and teach us something in a different way than the previous one and than the one after. So when I think we’re supposed to have a bit of a peace of mind, we would spend hours googling and comparing and choosing on line, as oceans of doubts were constantly stressing us.

Maybe unifying ways and normalising procedures might help future parents to spend those first 5 days of your new born’s life a bit less concerned and worried and perplexed.

We were also a bit surprised to see some of the nurses just once, as they were casuals, making kind of difficult to trust someone new every few hours.

My partner, after child birth was bleeding heavily. After THE THIRD DAY and no one coming to change our dirty with blood bed sheets, and after requesting but without any action taken by hospital staff, I had to leave the room in the middle of the night, take whatever we needed from a cupboard I found and leave the used set on the floor to be collected. The room did not get cleaned for the duration of our 5 day stay there.

She was asked if she’d prefer epidural anaesthesia to help her coping with the pain, but no one mentioned that weeks later we’d be receiving a bill at home for the anaesthetist.

Our newborn happened to have jaundice, so blood tests were needed and a night under special lights was arranged. Bills for these tests were just delivered to our address too.

We wonder if another bill for the ultra violet lights will come soon as well.

These are not unreasonable complains when attending a private hospital, and supposedly being fully covered by our insurance.

OB and delivery of the baby were both superb for us.

This hospital might look a little old. However do not let this fool you. The nurses are super heroes with their care.

Fantastic hospital, nurses/midwives are amazing.
And the food is even better than some restaurants! Well done Chef!

We had a wonderful experience having our baby in the maternity ward; I honestly couldn’t fault them. The staff were amazing during delivery & in the postnatal ward. My husband, baby and I were so well looked after. We opted for the double room at an extra $75 per night and it was really worth it to have my husband stay. The food was great (not your standard hospital food!) and we had specialists visit us during our stay as an inclusion, i.e. Lactation consultants and physio. I also had support from the staff once we had gone home and I had further questions. Overall a really positive experience!

Just had an awful experience with a member of staff. I received an email from my surgeon advising me to contact the hospital to obtain their fees, and when I did this the woman I spoke to (Sarah) was very rude and condescending and told me that I didn't need an estimate from the hospital. I advised her that I had been directly informed by my surgeon to contact them so obviously there was a bit of confusion and that a little bit of kindness would be appreciated, she said 'okay' and hung up on me. Can't say the experience has given me high hopes for my upcoming procedure.

Can't thank the team and nurses for the care I received before and after my operation.
All the team were extremely kind and helpful and there when I needed.

Will be highly recommending to everyone!

Poor service. I was in labour and I threw up and no one cleaned me up for 45 mins this is whilst I had an epidural and a catheter going, I pressed the nurse bell so many times and they didn’t even come.
I was given injections whilst eating by the midwives they didn’t even say they would do the anti blood clotting injection but just injected me, my friends who were in the saw me situation in public hospitals were told to lie down on the bed prior to administration of injections.
I was also given water from the toilet sink rather than from the normal filter and when I asked about it they rudely said it was Melbourne water and so much more. Really bad service wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone and if u’ve already chosen Epworth do take care….

Our baby was safely delivered and the midwives were fantastic. We just wanted to shout out Joey who happened to deliver our birthing course and then was on shift post birth to help us give our baby his first wash. Joey was very supportive, patient and always willing to help. Thank you Joey.

I had an excellent experience here with the maternity team. Had a caesarian, first pregnancy, standard 4 nights stay, early April 2021. I felt like the staff were genuinely there to provide care, not just to do the bare minimum job. We always felt safe, respected, well looked after and any time we needed help they were never far away, which is especially amazing considering how busy they were. Food needs a special mention because it's almost fine dining quality, in fact my husband initially didn't order anything first couple days thinking it would be hospital food, but after tasting them we then paid extra for partner meals for the rest of stay (mine was fully covered as I was the patient), 3 course meal was about $35. If you're an Epworth staff reading this, please thank the chefs! The standard room was alright, comes with a pull out single sofa for your partner which would be sufficient, but we paid extra $75 per night for double bed, room was a bit more spacious too. The double bed moves together though, so when you're breastfeeding at 4am and need the bed upright, your partner is going to have to follow which isn't so good if he has a back problem for instance. Our room came with kettle, condiments (replenished daily), fridge & microwave, so when they asked if we wanted to move into hotel stay (per their inclusive partnership) we declined - honestly already felt like we were in a hotel, and why do that when all the medical equipment and staff are so readily available here. You may want to consider hotel stay if you have another child though as they allow them to stay over. Parking was not free but you get a discount from standard rates, we weren't far away so we got a friend to drive us in/out instead so we didn't need their parking. This is a Medibank member's choice hospital. The pharmacy downstairs was also super convenient.

My wife had a C-Sec at this hospital last week. Operation theatre staff, my OB, Pediatrician and anesthetist were all top notch, however majority of the midwives employed are below average at best with always being a rush and being dismissive about patient's concerns. Everything is 'normal' to them regarding the patient and the baby without even letting us finish explaining and that shows the lack of empathy and lack of care. I must call out that some of the midwives and lactations consultants were extremely helpful. Food is alright for the hospital standard but nothing extraordinary as such. Be prepared to fork out $75 for parking for 1 week.

*
Not worth the private fees*

My dad was admitted to the general ward 2 weeks ago. It was the worse hospital stay he ever experienced.

The hospital just didnt care.the room he was admitted to had the previous patients name on the board. Didnt even got it changed the whole time he was there. His cardiologist requested for the nurse to place compression socks to prevent DVT. 3 days later the socks were still not placed.

I know that sometimes hospitals can be busy. But the whole floor is literally empty and the nurse at the station is swiping right on his mobile phone!

Terrible. Booked in for a colonoscopy just before Christmas. After waiting 2.5 hours, I asked reception how much longer as there was no other patients left. She said I had not checked in. I told her I had. She could not locate my paperwork. I had a copy of my paper work from 2.5 hours ago. Then she changed her tune. Said I was going through in 5 minutes. Said it was normal to wait this long. Medical staff knew that reception had not checked me in as they wondered where I was. I sat there for 2.5 hours and listened to reception discuss Christmas day, holidays, today's free lunch, were they entitled to today's free lunch etc. Never once did they think hmmm.why is that woman still sitting there? They confirmed the procedure the day prior. Why didn't they call me to see if I was lost or sitting in the wrong waiting room? The part that makes me angry, is that the receptionist should have apologised and said she made a mistake. Instead, she said it was normal to wait this long. She should consider a different career. She needs to be switched on and know what is happening in the waiting room. The medical staff said it was not normal. I was then rushed through at breakneck speed and had a consultation with the nurse, anaesthetist and doctor all at once, changed in the office and then shuffled very fast into theatre. Also, don't let carers and people collecting patients drink coffee and eat in the day procedure waiting room. It is very insensitive to patients who have been fasting for 36 hours. I will never go there again.

Just had wisdom teeth removed and wanted to thank all the staff who were kind, attentive and funny which help with my anxiety around the procedure. Especially a shout out to John (didn't get last name) during the recovery process.

Only reason not 5 stars and I felt more information could have been given pre admissions but while I was there I felt very looked after.

Had a day surgery there and when comparing to my previous experiences with other hospitals I was a bit let down by several facts.
The female ward nurse who was assigned to me acted more like an old school principal and was talking loudly to others while attending to me. I was trying to calm myself down prior to the procedure and her behavior did not help at all (no issues with the theater nurse and the post surgery room nursers).
As others mentioned parking was another huge issue and there were no parking spaces available around on that day.

I’ve had two babies at the Epworth and about to have a third. I wouldn’t go anywhere else. The maternity ward is so comfortable, the staff are amazing and helpful and the food is great.
There is even Netflix and streaming on the TV which was great for those first few days I couldn’t get out of bed.

Worth every cent, we had a big room and food was delicious.restaurant quality (never thought I would say that about hospital food!) midwives were all beautiful people, especially Yasna (not sure of spelling) she went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and was so supportive and friendly! We wouldn’t want to go to any other hospital. We can’t fault a thing.

My previous review which was based on my experience was Hided. Still i will give 1 star for the team.