South Coast Private, Mental Health Hospital - Wollongong, New South Wales

Cathy M

It took an admission at another private clinic since I was here four or so months ago which was way more successful to gain, in hindsight, an understanding of the problems with this place.

I want to start positively. The nurses were, by and large, completely and utterly wonderful. They were warm, kind and available to chat if you needed it. I was in Unit 2, but some from other units would occasionally rotate through.

The facilities and food (and wonderful and kind attitude of kitchen and cleaning staff) were top notch.

There were however four areas which made the experience negative (and even dangerous).

1. Lack of general medical care. Apart from a breezy two minute encounter with a GP (a GP consult at the beginning of the admission is required by the health funds and for accreditation), there was no medical assistance for even minor ailments. I had an infected toenail cuticle and had to Uber myself to Wollongong Public Hospital as well as relying on Telehealth consults with my GP back home interstate. I was told the GP would not visit more than once when you arrived!
Not only this, most nurses were antagonistic to any assistance whatsoever, with a male nurse refusing to find me a plastic container suitable for soaking my foot as per the instructions from the hospital! What if you became seriously physically ill?

2. The group facilitators aren't really regulated. In my case the group facilitator Laura decided she didn't want me in her group. It was just a personality clash that could have been resolved with an honest interchange. She also may have had some professional insecurity as I am also a social worker. She went behind my back to have me kicked off the Mood and Anxiety group halfway and sent to another group.

3. Poor quality psychiatrists. This is a problem with regional centres in particular. Honestly, I won't name who I got as I don't want to distress anyone in there who has got this person. He allowed the group facilitator Laura to manipulate him to advocate to the programs manager to get me kicked out of the group without engaging with me! Abruptly ended a session when I challenged him about it but charged Medicare and my private fund the top rate.

4. Veterans and service personnel are an important part of our ecosphere, but they don't want to be in a civilian environment when they're struggling with their mental health. They actually don't integrate well in general mental health environments (although they have their own floor, they share hallways and dining areas). During my admission I experienced veterans shouting abuse on their phones to families/ ex-partners with lots of profanity, distressing and triggering patients in proximity and on one occasion impacting an entire dining room. Nurses were not on the floor in this instance and a male from the general patient population went up to find a nurse.
When are the Department of Defence going to wake up to themselves and stop selling out veterans to the private sector and build their own mental health hospitals. South Coast Private accept them as they are paid a lot to take them. If you are not a veteran, don't go to mental health hospitals with veteran specific inpatient wards. Which means don't go here!

Kyle Turner

A disgraceful, non-serious facility that doesn’t take your issues seriously.

I have attempted to get admission to this facility several times in the past 8 months, all of which they have told me “wait 6-12 months.”

If you’re not offering your money, they will not care about your issues.

STEFANIA Stefania

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.

Shae H

REPLY- laura or lauren!?

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.

Alice Smith

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.

Margaret Potter

I am a patient at South Coast Private and it is the best hospital I have ever been to. I have been in many public and private hospitals over the years and based on my previous experience, South Coast is the best. The nursing staff, the auxiliary staff which include reception, cleaning, maintenance and kitchen always show an interest in you with a smile. The nursing staff make themselves available, where possible, to talk to you through a rough period, and will contact your doctor if needed. The psychiatrists are excellent and try to see their patient each day through the week. The programs offered at the hospital are very well structured and presented by very professional people. All staff, from the heads of the department to all other staff, try to make your stay as comfortable as possible and most will go beyond their duties to help or refer you to the right person. One the best things is whilst you are here, you will receive assistance in setting up a after hospital plan, so that you have the necessary support when you leave. Also,the hospital offers out patient day programs. I would rate this hospital with 5 stars,

Alison Gal

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.

Nick Pout

South Coast Private is an amazing facility. The staff have all been excellent from the nurses, administrative team, art room team etc. I cannot speak highly enough of Dr Irwin Pakula, truely made my life better. Allira my psychologist was also great. Paul and Emily in the art room are also fabulous. The guys in the gym are awesome, Mark the maintenance man is a legend. Finally, the food is wonderful. I would recommend this facility to anyone.