Victoria General Hospital

There are times when good reviews are challenging to write because of their complexity. In order to write this review of Victoria General Hospital (VGH); I have chosen to write it in sections as it applied to me during my stay.I arrived at the hospital 15 minutes prior to my admission time. Was directed to the day surgery ward where unfortunately there was incorrect information submitted on my personal health information record from another hospital. Although this mis-information did not lead to my missing my surgery it did cause the admitting staff to take extra precautions. Although I repeatedly told the staff that the information was incorrect; they kept the precautions “in place” until the error was corrected. I was told that patient and staff safety was paramount and seeing how the staff reacted to this mis-information and was totally respectful towards me; that in itself showed me that pre-admission staff are very well trained in their responsibilities and took their work very seriously.I am especially grateful to both anesthesiologists who spent time with me prior to my surgery. Both tried to convince me to take a spinal freeze instead of an anesthetic because of breathing issues. However, I was steadfast in wanting to have my surgery done whilst I was under a general anesthetic. Thank you ever so much Doctors for preventing me from “going to the light”. People say it wasn’t your time; I say it was because of the skill and knowledge of both doctors that I am still alive.After surgery one enters a PACU-Primary ward that was once called the Recovery ward. In the Victoria General Hospital here is where all the nurse “angels” work. Never in my entire life have I ever seen a more “patient care” dedicated workforce then in this ward. The nurses know their job; do their job without compliant or oversight; engage with each patient as if they are family members and give the care that we all hope to receive.These nurses do not gather in groups to talk amongst themselves about outside or weekend activities; these nurses are there to do a job and boy do they do it well. My nurse was a petit European lady with blonde hair and she provided me with the comfort and care that is unheard of in today’s hospitals; and from what I observed every other patient was getting similar treatment from their nurse as I was. If only every ward had nurses that had the ambition, the knowledge and the dedication that these nurses have; for if that were the case, most of out medical issues would disappear.The staffing on floor South 7 were again very responsive to the patients needs and provided better bedside care then I have witnessed in most hospitals. I am again grateful to that staff for assisting me through my recovery.Overall – this hospital and the departments I engaged with deserve an A for a job well done. However, the PACU Primary staff on the evening of April 24th between the hours of 4 and 8 pm deserves the A+ award. There are none better that these nurses.This hospital and staff have to be considered as one of the top medical treatment centres on Vancouver Island.

I have unfortunately had to go the the E.R many times in my life due to health issues, but I am always so impressed by the Nurses, Doctors and staff, and their kindness and support and thoroughness. I think we all need to be a little kinder and more patient with our Healthcare workers and be thankful for them as it's not an easy job.

I recently had back surgery for a herniated disc.Right from admission through post-op care was amazing.The Neurosurgeon Dr. Richard Reid and his team were professional in every way.Thank you so much for helping me.

Two times now staff have dropped the ball on giving me morphine on time leaving me in extreme pain, socializing and ignoring the monitor is very common. I have had extreme abdominal surgery and they could care less about keeping me comfortable.

Was admitted to emerge through an ambulance after a car accident with a neck injury. I was waiting for 8 hours in the main lobby with no backrest before being taken in and given a neck brace, I was in a lot of pain and they were shocked that I was not given a neck brace immediately in the event that I become paralyzed from a wrong movement.I could not lie down and was given no chair while I waited in a storage room for my CT scan, two hours I stood there and the nurse came in and said You're still here?!" I was given or offered no water or blankets and I was thirsty and cold.After my CT scan they kept me over-night to see a MRI specialist in the morning

I have a friend in the hospital.She finally told me that she is MRSA positive.I have surgery in 4 weeks and can not have any infections beforehand.I called the hospital Fri morning to find out if I could leave some belongings for my friend at the front desk. She said, No problem." Someone will take them and get them to your friend.I waste my time & gas in the car to find out the rude lady at the front desk

I, Patrick Eugene McCarthy, spent one night in VGH, being discharged on March 10, 2023. I have nothing but the highest praise for the professionalism, competence and friendliness of the staff with whom I came in contact with. From the admitting staff to the staff of Day Surgery, Anesthetist and staff in the pre-op room, Dr John Kinahan, Urologist and his staff in the operating room, the recovery room, the post-op room, and the CT Scan room, they were excellent and credit to BC Health and Hospital Services. Dr Kinahan was kind enough to visit and chat with me both at pre-op and post-op. While the staff who attended me are too many to name I would particularly like to mention two staff who, I think, went above and beyond what would normally be expected. They were Holy in Day Surgery and Sydney in Post-Op Room, 7 South.Thank you.

While on vacation in Victoria, At 28 weeks pregnant, I had to be taken by ambulance to the maternity ward where I was well looked after. I was in major pain & the nurses did all they could to comfort me. I was then ushered into emergency surgery that night to remove a cyst off my fallopian tube. Dr. Dennie, was amazing and was able to perform surgery successfully while keeping our unborn baby settled & happy.They then did all they could to get me back on track and on my flight with my husband and kids the next morning.I even was given the doctors direct line to keep in contact with her to ensure all continued to go well.I couldn't have asked for a better experience!!

The doctor l saw was wonderful and despite being very busy took the time to listen. The nurses were kind although at times very curt in their response. The problem in this hospital ER is the triage system. I sat for approximately 6 hours in the waiting room so l saw a lot of patients come and go. And l realize that people in the waiting room have no idea of the status of people being brought in by ambulance who may need immediate attention. However when you have been sitting for hours and you see someone come in with a cough and they only have to wait about an hour, are seen and were given a rx. There is something wrong. People were getting angry and upset, security had to be called several times. People were left sitting to watch other people who arrived after them receiving treatment and leaving. Lots of people waited for hours and then gave up and left. I was at the emergency department for a total of 12 hours, l saw the doctor, received something for pain and had an ultra sound. When it was suggested that l have a cat scan which would mean more hours waiting l told the doctor l was exhausted, hadn't any sleep and all l wanted to do was go home. I can't imagine what it's like to work in emergency, l can't imagine how many sick people give up, go home and only end up sicker. I blame the government for this situation, they underpaid family doctors until they gave up their practices. Now their patients flow like a river into emergency departments. The system isn't broken, there isn't any kind of system at all.

It's hilarious to see all these people with zero training or experience giving their two cents about how health care should run. The providers at VGH are fantastic and if people think they can do a better job go ahead and diagnose and treat yourself!