St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus

• publicaffairs@stjoes.ca

T King

The entire time that I was working with the Women's Clinic they never returned my calls, and showed up 30 mins late to our meets nearly everytime. Even now, I keep reaching out and they just ignore me. Now ive been connected with the Mood Disorders Clinic. They keep telling me that im missing appts. I never miss my scheduled appts whether it be medical or other. They keep claiming that they have spoken to me about these appts they keep making but no one has... I get penalized for missing appts that no one ever informed me about. They say that I need a new referral to get in yet ive had two already. I dont know why they are so unorganized but blaming me isn't the solution.

Maureen Cameron

I was an outpatient of the mood disorders clinic from 2017 until 2025, and also had the misfortune of being admitted to the inpatient mood disorders unit on three separate occasions, for a total of 13 months. My initial outpatient psychiatrist was a lovely person, and he managed my care as best he could until he retired. The psychiatrist I was then referred to in the clinic was rather cold and clinical, and I never felt my appointments were very therapeutic or helpful. I didn’t feel supported. The inpatient units were a whole new level of hell in my opinion. I witnessed many patients being treated disrespectfully by nursing staff, and was the recipient of similar treatment on several occasions. Who your psychiatrist was really played a large part in determining how effective and helpful your admission would be. I received everything from an incorrect diagnosis of a personality disorder to a cocktail of psych meds that caused a severe adverse reaction, resulting in multiple fainting episodes and a blood pressure of 60/40. Ironically, one of the nurses at the time accused me of taking something myself to cause such a low blood pressure. While some of the staff were kind, other staff were quick to make judgements of patients, which is really unfair when you are acutely ill and in distress. They seem to not realize that how you present when hospitalized can be a far cry from how you function and behave when you are well, and don’t always treat you with kindness. I did complain to patient relations on a couple of occasions over the years about my experiences, but my concerns were brushed aside. If you have the misfortune of being an inpatient here, advocate for yourself and/or have a family member who can advocate for you. Speak up when things aren’t right. Even if they don’t necessarily take your concerns seriously, the system will not improve if you stay silent.

Chris Hanlon

Food is not the best as far as mental care nursing staff and the doctors I've had a pleasure to deal with I have had no problems. I don't know what that other person was talking about dirty smelly blah blah she must be dirty smelly! I am getting the best care available better than dealing with a GP constantly being prescribe pill after pill after pill thank you to the nurses and doctors at St Joe's West 5th thank you for caring

K S

I know lots feel like they have had bad experiences here, but when you take it in perspective, this is one of the best hospitals of its class in the province, and probably the country.