St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Gave birth here Dec 2022. Every staff member was absolutely amazing. Birth didn't go as planned, but every Doctor, resident or otherwise, was compassionate and made sure every decision I made was fully informed. The nurses were all comforting and calm. A week after birth, we brought our baby to emergency and, yet again, everyone was incredibly helpful and kind.

I was referred to this hospital to get an MRI on my shoulder. I’m still waiting as my appointments keep getting pushed back do to unforeseen issues? I have taken time off work to go these appointments only for them to call me last minute(90 minutes or less) to say they need to reschedule.Today, I lost it. The excuse today was that their state of the art machine was down. Yet, a few weeks ago they called and tried to reschedule my appointment for this day, but I said this was the only time in the next few weeks that I was available. The staff told me they would guarantee that I wouldn’t be bumped. Go figure, the machine just so happened to be broken on the same day as my appointment and they couldn’t call me the day before so I could go to work. Machines don’t break over night not being used. Especially these ones.

Must say the nurses are exceptional. Husband recently had surgery here. I loved how every step of the day surgery process you can follow on the tv board, given a number and updates every step. Admitted quickly, as well as discharged easily and quickly. The only downfall was the number of homeless that sleep in the main entry way, seats. The garden area near the front entrance is a wonderful place to go out and sit with or without a patient. The food selection is limited buy foes have for those who can get away. Has a small store and gift shop. Parking is costly but manageable as many options along this stretch. If admitted has the option for tv rentals which ends up being $22 a night, a cash grab in my book! But can use there internet if you bring a phone or tablet of need be. Another downfall was that if you stay overnight, some rooms have no toilets after surgery which requires other patients to use other patients rooms to go the bathroom. So you have strangers in and out of your room all the time and all hours, if you are the one with a toilet.

If you have 10 hours to waste then this is the hospital to go to. Got there around 10pm , seen by triage nurse by 11:30, then called to see another nurse at 2am, then finally admitted at 4am. Had my chest X-rays at 4:30am and wasn’t seen by the doctor until 8am. They had one doctor all night, she was very nice however waiting that long to be seen was unacceptable.Was not admitted to a room since there were no rooms available and had to sleep across 4 chairs. I had came into the hospital for severe pain from being in a car accident and sleeping across chairs did more damage then good. Went home with a clean X-ray and some pain meds but I’m still shocked with the time it took to be seen. It’s clear they are understaffed and underpaid and are trying their best but the repercussions of these long wait times can have serious consequences to patients. Do better St.Joseph’s; for the sake of Hamilton.

The amazing care that I have received from Dr.Archibald over the past 5+ years, the nurses and support staff. They take care of YOU and reduce any anxiousness you may be going through. Questions answered and I wouldn't have wanted to be treated by anyone else. With both my surgeries here I went there knowing I would be well taken of. Obviously was very nervous both times but from pre-ops to the day of my surgeries I can not say enough positive things about this hospital. So happy I made the choice years ago to come here to be taken care of. THANK YOU!!

I wish I could give “ 0 “ but google won’t let me do it. Waited for 12 hours in emergency and had to be examined by an arrogant doctor! The nurses were just incapable of a simple task of drawing blood and caused serious bruises and a firework of blood not only hurting me but also causing a terrifying scene for the other patients waiting there!I feel hopeless and helpless for the healthcare system in here.

Meal portions are tiny when compared to any other in patient experience in Hamilton. Washrooms for patients are not accessible, they are old and tiny. Physio care is terrible, unreliable and unhelpful. Patients are left without a brief change (in their own feces) for an hour after multiple requests. If they're sick, take your elder somewhere else. Worst hospital in Hamilton. The lack of caring from most staff is really sad.

The larger set triage nurse was incredibly disrespectful, causing me to have a panic attack. She refused to let me speak with her supervisor and deceived me by claiming she would notify them to come to me. Now I have to make the call myself because the situation made it even harder for me to breathe as i was hyperventilating. I don't understand why it became such a major issue for me to text my comfort person while she was typing slowly and not engaging with me at all. Whenever she paused typing, I immediately put my phone away out of respect but she would continue to stair at me with passive aggresion. My phone serves as a source of comfort for my anxiety, and her actions only made things worse. I am extremely disappointed in this hospital, especially since I have to visit frequently due to my illness and have never experienced such mistreatment before. Thankfully, the doctors who assisted me afterwards were absolutely amazing. They treated me with utmost kindness and respect and calmed me down quite fast.

Took my mother to the child and flu clinic. No trouble booking an appointment online and it was within the hour. When we arrived we were greeted and directed to the correct area of the hospital. Checked in right away and brought to see the nurse for intake tests. We never even sat in the wait room! From there we were brought down the hall where a doctor was waiting. Everyone was very kind, professional and extremely helpful. My mother was provided with a summary sheet when leaving as well as offered to have parking validated. I am speechless. Best Healthcare experience I've ever had.