Failure in Patient Care Standards

My husband was admitted to Medicare Private Hospital in February due to a viral lung infection.

Upon arrival, we were received by a receptionist who, while not overtly rude, came across as aloof and not particularly welcoming. I explained that my husband was a patient experiencing difficulty breathing, yet we still waited approximately 10 minutes before being assisted.

Thereafter, the process of obtaining medical aid pre-authorisation began. While I understand that this is a necessary procedure, the delay was excessive. From approximately 11h00, it took until 14h00 to finalise, despite the receptionist contacting the ward three times to request a bed, all while my husband was struggling to breathe.

At around 14h30, he was finally admitted to the Carnation ward. The staff conducting the intake were friendly; however, the environment was noticeably loud. In a private hospital setting, one would expect a quieter, more restful atmosphere conducive to patient recovery.

By 15h00, there was still no clarity on what the doctor had prescribed, and I had to return to work, leaving my husband without reassurance regarding his treatment. When I visited again at 19h00, the doctor had still not seen him, although he had at least begun receiving medication.

He was later moved to a private room without any clear explanation. Additionally, basic care standards were lacking—he was not provided with water regularly, and I had to purchase water for him myself. The quality of the food was also far below what one would expect from a private healthcare facility.

Throughout his stay, noise levels at the nurses’ station remained high, and doctor visits over the weekend were infrequent. Furthermore, there were no blankets available, which resulted in me having to bring one from home. After his discharge, this blanket was accidentally left behind, and to date, no one from the hospital has contacted us regarding its collection.

Overall, I am extremely disappointed with the experience. The facility charges private hospital rates, yet the infrastructure appears outdated and the level of service is only marginally better than that of a state hospital