Norwest Private Hospital - Bella Vista, New South Wales

Scarlett Finney

Presented to ED on the advice of my GP after trying to resolve an ongoing symptomatic infection with oral antibiotics for around 8 weeks with worsening symptoms and increasing resistances showing on weekly pathology testing, as we felt it was time to pursue IV rehydration and an IV antibiotic, an ongoing condition I have presented to this hospital for many times over the last several years. After paying an extortionate almost $400 fee, my “treatment” was a single pill and a cup of water. The ED Doctor I was under the “care” of told me after 6-7 hours of sweating and shivering in significant pain in a bed, my results showed no infection and there was nothing to treat. The only physical assessment was to repeatedly thump on tender and painful areas on my back with no further investigation into anything else that could potentially be causing the symptoms I was struggling to manage at home. I’m not sure where else a person who is unwell and doesn’t know what they’re dealing with or can’t manage their condition well at home is meant to go if not to a hospital? I could also audibly hear “Dr Roberto” speaking unfavorably of me to 2 different specialists on my team which I feel to be wholly unprofessional and disrespectful to happen at all, but especially in earshot of the patient being discussed. He also had a very patronizing tone when speaking to me directly, outlining what my GP and I “should have done first” - steps that had all been taken already, several times - before coming to hospital. Nurses are usually polite and professional however on this day, nurses communicated incorrect information to my concerned parents who phoned, including that I was being checked on hourly which didn’t occur. The nurses typically ask consent before moving my wheelchair from the bedside to provide care or treatment, but regularly leave it well out of reach across the room or in the middle of the room, or with brakes off which is a serious safety concern when you’re an ill wheelchair user unable to reach a buzzer. Further imaging at another facility has revealed a decently large gallstone and testing repeated the following day after this visit returned a culture showing infection. Now have to attend a different hospital further away from home when hospital treatment is needed, recent letter received from ED manager denied my request for a refund and backs the behavior of their staff, won’t be returning.

Alma Angela dela Cruz

Gave birth to my son here 6 months ago and had mixed experiences.

Birth department was overall great. Midwives were extremely supportive of me. If you get Cali, you're in fabulous hands. She's exactly the kind of calming presence you need in labour. She supported my husband and I so well through the process.

The maternity ward, not great at all.
Half the nurses were unsupportive and unhelpful, and spoke disrespectfully when you ask questions. Not the vibe you need as a first time mom. (High praise to Vandy and Rushma who were so incredibly kind and got us through some rough days)
I sustained injury to my pubic bone at birth and got told to just walk it off. I was unable to walk for days, had to use a walker for weeks and had to see a physio for months.
Poor bedside manners. Got conflicting advice from different nurses, and got told off (rudely!) when we followed said advice.
Pedia and several nurses were so pushy on formula.
Could not be more relieves to go home.

Van H

I gave birth to both of my children here. My first in 2020 and my second in 2023.
I had a very mixed experience on both occasions.

Birth suite: The first time was so exciting going in to meet my baby but was met with an older midwife forcing the gas tube in my mouth and holding the back of my head so I couldn't pull away, yelling at me to breathe it. When she finally left the room I was so upset and thankfully she didn't come back and a kind and compassionate midwife called Jordan stayed with us and helped deliver my baby.
The second time was a lot better but my baby could have been born sooner if the midwife just checked me insteadof dismissing me when i told her a number of times that i felt a lot of pain and pressure. Sarah, the student was fantastic and I hope she continues to flourish in the midwifery field. I was so lucky to have her help deliver my baby.
I rate the birth suite 8/10, thanks to Jordan and Sarah.

Post birth suite:
I was lucky enough to have the exact same room both times. It felt so special.
The first time was good but emotions were high as my baby wasn't latching and unfortunately was made to feel terrible by giving him formula under the paediatricians advice.
The second time was rough. I mean rough. Like high school bullies were in charge. We were made to feel so small. Vicki especially had zero empathy and probably shouldn't be working as a nurse if that's not her forte. She was sarcastic, rolled her eyes when I asked for formula, refused to take my canula out, was rude to my husband. Keep in mind, we are very quiet people and don't like to fuss. We didn't argue but maybe we should have. The lactation consultation was just as bad and refused to even see me because I was mixed feeding not fully breastfeeding. She also had a habbit of rolling her eyes and scoffing when I'd ask if the pump was available. "What do you need that for? ?" was my response when I first asked for the pump. Maybe if she actually gave me the time of day she'd know what I needed it for.
I rate the post birth suite 3/10. Only reasone it's more than 1/10 is because in 2020 I had Meg look after me and she was absolutely everything i needed in a nurse. She loved my baby like her own and had a nurturing personality. Unfortunately the other bad experiences brought it down.

A note to new mothers. Ignore these bully midwives/nurses. Listen to your OB, paediatricians and your gut. ❤️

JAMES FARRAH

My review of this hospital
I have been admitted to this hospital few times. Now in the last four years , my feedback for this place as follows

1- ROOMS
depending on which side you get the room the rooms are very hot and can get very hot specially when you have just arrived from recovery and you enter the room you start sweating more because of the heat generated in the room ( when asked then nurses why is it so hot in the room answer given was most of the rooms are hot ) so all
Day while being in the room sometimes you ate sweating badly and then some times you are asking for blankets ( so may be they need to overall their internal air conditioning system ) this has been noticed by me for the past 4 years so it’s not been fixed so far .i had to literally change two two rooms because of the heat levels which was being generated in the rooms
2—-FOOD
I would say certainly very good food at this hospital a very good selection of balanced diets available
3—- NURSES
this is a major issue to me because they are ALWAYS SO SHORT OF NURSES at this hospital that they are getting agency nurses to fill up the spots which caused me few issues as as a patient we don’t know if the nurse is a agency nurse or a regular employee , in my case because it was a agent nurse working they were giving me wrong medication Which was not scheduled by the surgeon which caused me some issues while I was there admitted in this hospital ( this is a major issue ) in my case we found out the agency nurse much not have had enough experience or whatever the case was which cause me issues in my recovery as I was given wrong medication for two days which is not good .
4——- ROOM EQUIPMENT
room equipment is very old and should be given a update certainly inside the room the chairs and recliners very old and need updates urgently
5—PARKING
massive parking issues for visitors coming to see you so not a very customer friendly hospital

CONCLUSION IS THAT FOR WHAT YOU ARE PAYING FOR THIS HOSPITAL PER DAY CHARGES YOU DONT GET THE SERVICES WHICH YOU WOULD EXPECT.

Mark One

I recently had a knee replacement at this hospital, the procedure went well, I was set to be there for a few nights to recuperate but unfortunately had to leave and return home the day after the surgery, which to say the least was very painful and inconvenient. This occurred, this course of action was due to the noise from nurse call beepers which were right outside my room and were quite loud. During the day and into the evening with all the other noises one associates with hospital function, the noise from the chime was bearable, but into the morning hours past midnight this noise became very disturbing to me. I was given large amounts of pain killers which would allow sleep, but just as I would drift off to sleep the chime would sound and keep going until it was cancelled by the relative nurse on duty, only to be replaced a minute or so later by another patient wishing attention, imagine this going on all night. Constantly woken up by this beeping chime becomes torturous over the night time hours. I spoke with staff the next afternoon about changing rooms, but was told the beepers are all over the ward and you really couldn't get away from them. I could not spend another sleepless night in this hospital so I had to leave, they couldn't get hold of my surgeon so I had to discharge myself which negated the the hospital of any further responsibility to me, which included not arranging my home physio, and any pain medication, which I then had to arrange for myself.
I fail to understand why hospitals persist with these devices which clearly distress their patients, who afterall are merely trying to get some much needed rest after an operation. Some kind of personal beeper could be issued to staff, which would be almost silent and kinder on sick people trying to rest.
My opinion of the staff at this hospital is of the highest order, I found them courteous and understanding and I bear them no ill will at all. The management is at fault and should address this problem immediately, I'm sorry but I would never have another procedure at this hospital if I had to stay overnight again.

Carina Wang

Avoid!!! Avoid!!! Avoid!!!

I had a very sharp pain after gallbladder removal. Especially at one particular location.

I was sweating and shaking in cold. Buzzed 2 different on-shift nurses for multiple times, but I was told this was normal. Later the pain was masked out by a strong pain relief, i was sent home.

A few days later, my condition got worse. After I checked in at RNSH emergency, it shows I had a large abdominal infection due to bile leak. However it was too late to fix with surgery.

The infected center area was exactly the same spot as where I had pain before on day 1.

Now I had to carry a drainage bag for weeks/months to drain the biles.

Thanks Norwest team for your professional service and skill!!!

Never return again!!!

Monisha Kumar

I had a wonderful experience here during the week, from admission through to discharge everyone was just so kind and helpful. Even though there were delays, I was kept informed and comfortable during the whole time. The nurses were extremely friendly and compassionate. Beautiful experience! The nurses in the Women's Health ward are just amazing.

GJ

I have just been discharged from Norwest Private Hospital after orthopaedic surgery and I cannot fault my treatment. The admission, surgical and ward staff were all fantastic. A big thank you to the nurses Elizabeth, Selina, Nella and Phil (and all the others) You were all wonderful and really looked after me. The food was top notch! Thank you!