South West Healthcare

Negative experience: If you need a hospital keep going past Warrnambool because they don't care if your in pain your last to be seen and the duty of care according to the guidelines if they cant give you proper care they should transfer you to a hospital that can

Fantastic experience: Last Wednesday night my husband had a procedure in the Surgical Unit. From beginning to the end the staff were so friendly, helpful, professional and efficient. They need to be commended for the job they do. It isn’t always easy. Thank you

Fantastic experience: The care provided to our dad was beyond incredible from the moment he entered ED to 7 weeks later on discharge. Every member of staff from medical to environmental was of the highest standard and beautiful care. He even had the best “ Roomies” From Barry D and his daughters we thank you so much .

Negative experience: Would not accept appointment to remove sutures

Fantastic experience: So professional offered the best care possible, staff were so wpnderful

Fantastic experience: We received the best possible care from the maternity clinic and the maternity ward at South West Healthcare Warrnambool while welcoming our baby boy. From the moment we arrived until discharge, every staff member showed incredible kindness, professionalism, and next-level support. A big shout-out to all the nurses, midwives, and doctors for their dedication and compassion — you truly made our experience unforgettable. Thank you for taking such wonderful care of our family!

Fantastic experience: I had a day stay today,the doctors and nurses,and staff, just so professional and courteous we are so lucky to have such a service in Warrnambool, thank you so very much, Percy Eccles

Fantastic experience: Despite being busy, the emergency room staff were friendly, focused and very caring. I expected a super long wait so was happy that I was able to see a doctor within an hour and felt well looked after.

Negative experience: This hospital is useless. 6 weeks ago I was in emergency with a suspected broken ankle. Upon arrival, the lady at the front took all my details, and said to me once I showed her my ankle that “I’m not dying” and sent me to the waiting room. After 45 minutes I was sent to get an X-ray which wasn’t too bad. After the X-ray, I was made to wait 7 hours for any other news. I wasn’t offered and ice, Panadol or any sort of pain killers. Wasn’t given advice on how to rest my ankle whilst I’d be waiting or anything. Once I was called in to see the doctor. He stood in the door way to speak to me, didn’t even enter the room, and didn’t even look at my ankle. He deemed that my ankle wasn’t broken, and told me to try and walk on it, and put weight on it as quickly as I could, to ensure a fast recovery. Which I trusted this advice at the time. Also told me a moon boot wouldn’t be necessary, or tape or braces for sport either. Two days later, the swelling was still pretty bad, and I couldn’t walk on it. So I went to a physio and had to get an MRI. Just to find out my ankle was broken, and torn in two places. I was told the advice from the hospital was completely wrong and dangerous, and that I was lucky I didn’t listen to it, as I probably would’ve needed surgery! Joke of a place.

Fantastic experience: Amazing for kids, staff is very well trained and professional me personally got treated here and couldn’t ask for a better treatment got the best hospital award from me!

Fantastic experience: Hi. I would like to ask if this hospital can accept my NIB insurance for maternity of my wife. Can my NIB insurance will be covered all the bills?

Negative experience: If you are vulnerable, disabled, neurodivergent, or in a mental health crisis, please be extremely cautious when seeking care at SWHC. I have been repeatedly denied essential treatment — including being left with an infected catheter, despite being wheelchair-bound and unable to manage it myself. My pain was ignored. My requests for mental health support were met with silence. I’ve had to perform medical procedures on myself just to survive. Beyond my personal experience, I’ve heard too many similar stories from others in the community who’ve been dismissed, retraumatized, or refused care — especially during mental health crises. The hospital has no clear policies for managing diverse individuals. There is deep bias, a lack of trauma-informed care, and breaches of confidentiality that have personally put me in danger more than once. The nursing culture feels cliquey, bullying is common, and patients are often spoken down to. This is not just poor service — it’s negligence. I’m not writing this to get help for myself. I’m writing because people deserve better. You know your body. You deserve to be listened to. If something feels wrong, speak up — even when the system tries to silence you. This hospital has deeply harmed me and others. I sincerely hope someone reads this and chooses to do better.

Fantastic experience: We had to visit when my husband sliced open his knee on a Saturday morning whilst away for the weekend. We were triaged, had X-rays, stitched up and discharged within an hour and a half. Nurses, Drs and reception all lovely. Great experience in an unfortunate circumstance.

Negative experience: This place is a disgrace,have had to go here a couple of times over the years and each time I'm just shrugged off and told nothing wrong or that I have something that I don't,they won't do the proper scans or anything to check and when I get onto my own dr he gives me the appropriate scans and tests and what do you know something is found.they have no idea how to treat patients with care and it's like all the drs are inexperienced.the only ones I've found to be good were the paediatric drs for our daughter but anyone else forget about it.ive had to come home today in absolute agony and have more nights of not been able to lay in my own bed because they refused to help me and told me to wait till my ultrasound on the 5th of March,so if they find something I will throw the results in your face,not only this I'm a diabetic and suffer with high blood pressure,not once was I checked for any of it,when going into the room to talk to the dr he asked the junior dr if my blood pressure was taken,she said no and he said we probably should check it but never did anyway!

Fantastic experience: I engaged with the " Hope" team at South West Healthcare in Warrnambool and received the highest level of care. Chantelle, Claudia and Cora, were approachable, understanding and very professional throughout my 12 week engagement. They've given me my life back.

Negative experience: It’s absolutely baffling that I’m writing this review over two years after my initial visit, but I cannot let the appalling experience go unspoken any longer. I visited this facility in September 2022, and I am still shocked at the horrendous level of care and complete lack of professionalism I experienced. I have never been treated so badly in my life, and it’s clear that this hospital fails to meet even the most basic standards of patient care. Let me start by saying, the emergency room experience was a nightmare from the very beginning. I arrived at 7pm, already in pain and discomfort, expecting to be treated with at least some basic level of respect and urgency. What I got instead was complete neglect. I sat there for five hours, not a single person checked on me, and no one seemed to care at all. I finally got seen at 12am, five hours after my arrival, which is already completely unacceptable. I was eventually taken to the plaster cast room, I had to limp over 200 meters to get there, barely able to walk. You would think that a hospital, of all places, would assist someone in my condition, but no. Not a soul offered to help. I finally made it to the room, where they decided to take my blood pressure. It was slightly elevated, which was no surprise given the stress and the fact that I’d had to struggle just to get there. But no one seemed interested in addressing it. Instead, they sent me off for an X-ray, where the nurse’s attitude was nothing short of appalling. She rolled her eyes, sighed loudly, and was rude throughout the entire process. Not once did she acknowledge me in a professional manner. After the X-ray, she didn’t even direct me on how to get back to the emergency waiting room, as there was a much easier and shorter way to get there which didn't involve me walking through the emergency department. It was actually another staff member who had stopped me, seeing that I was struggling and limping in the wrong direction. Is this the level of care we’re to expect from a medical facility? Returning to the emergency waiting room, I was left sitting for another 45 minutes. before I was called back to the plaster cast room, where I was supposed to get my X-ray results. By this point, I was beyond frustrated, and I waited there until 3:30 am to finally get the results. The utter lack of urgency and care was mind-boggling. After all the waiting, walking, and frustration, I asked the nurse if she could take my blood pressure again. Since it had been elevated earlier, and after hours of rest, I thought it was only reasonable to check if it had returned to normal. After all, I hadn’t had to limp 200 meters to get to a room. But her response? “If you want that done, go and see your GP.” This is the level of disrespect I was shown no care. As a hospital, these staff members are meant to have taken the Hippocratic Oath, a solemn promise to uphold the principles of care and compassion for every patient. But based on my experience, it's painfully clear that the staff here have no regard for this oath. The medical staff are meant to care for people, show empathy, and maintain a level of professionalism—none of which I saw during my visit. Instead, I was met with rudeness, disregard, and a lack of basic human decency. The Hippocratic Oath wasn’t just ignored, it was completely thrown out the window. These medical professionals are clearly not fulfilling their duty to protect and care for patients. This is a hospital where people are supposed to receive care and compassion, but instead, I was subjected to rudeness, neglect, and outright disrespect. The staff should be ashamed of how they treated me, and I have absolutely no idea how they continue to function in a healthcare environment with this kind of attitude. I am disgusted by how I was treated during my visit. It’s clear that the hospital staff do not uphold the basic standards of care that every patient deserves. I would never, under any circumstances, recommend this hospital to anyone.

Negative experience: I have spent 6 hours with out seeing a doctor. Doctor was further 2hours behind.

Negative experience: Mental health services. In my time there has been only 1 decent clinician. They have no time for you because they have to many consumers for one person. It's usually triage or the medication team help the most. But your clinician is not there for you and no time for a talk when you are in a crisis

Negative experience: I had the most awful experience never again can't trust anyone up Morgan was lovely and Lorraine was beautiful to they are absolute liers my little man got taken 6 days old because they put a false report on me I will never ever step foot back anywhere near that hospital very pissed off maternity ward wasn't a good experience ladies when you have your babies up there don't trust them

Negative experience: Absolutely shocking. The wait times in emergency are outrageous. The staff louse around in their office while innocent people suffer in agony and pain to then be waiting for hours on end. Honestly this hospital is a joke. My poor mum was transported by ambulance to the hospital in serious pain and in need of proper treatment and good care to just be rejected and told to go home 4 hours later.

Fantastic experience: I just finished my Nursing Placements at the Hospital and I wanted to say that this has been the best learning experience in all of my studies. Educators go above and beyond to help the students and most importantly they know how the students feel when doing their placements, with all the pressure and expectations being so high, it was such a calming experience with all the love and support. I would also like to point out that the Nursing staff are all fabulous, supportive and genuinely kind people at the Hospital. Even during really tough times and difficult situations, they never once forgot that they had a student with them and always extremely supportive with every question and inquiry and provided the best learning experience possible. I am very grateful for the opportunity to complete my final placement with the Hospital and Southwest Healthcare.

Fantastic experience: I need to use the A and E on a very busy Saturday night. The wait was considerable but the staff were amazing regularly checking up and I felt genuinely cared for, The triage nurse Aaron was a stand out doing his work with a smile and compassion, thank you.

Negative experience: Tried calling the dental clinic all morning to get my dentures fixed. When they finally answered their phone at 11:30am was told I needed to drop off the dentures before 10:00am to get them fixed so there was nothing they could do. Now I am without teeth over the weekend until Tuesday when they open again. Thanks for nothing!

Positive experience: Stitching was done quick and done nicely

Negative experience: At the time of writing this, I’ve been waiting to be seen by a doctor in the ED for 9 hrs. Got an X-ray done within the first hour of being here is the only positive. I’ve also witnessed 4 people leave without being seen by a doctor in my time waiting.

Negative experience: The Asian dentist could barely understand me, i barely understood his language, two weeks past with no follow-up, then told after ringing that they needed the xrays...the xrays are 150mtrs in their south west healthcare, VERY dissapointing service/mannerism from the dentist, ears painted on, when im in emergency department,I'll mention his name

Positive experience: Nice new hospital. I like their trainee doctors they take the time of day to listen to my concerns and perform a full examination. It seems like they are training for an exam or something.

Fantastic experience: Feeling very grateful for the excellent care I received on the weekend at SWHC. From the ambulance service right through to discharge everyone made sure I felt safe and very comfortable. The A&E and the ward were very much under the pump but you wouldn’t know that from the care given. A sincere thank you.

Positive experience: Went in for shortness of breath related to anemia and chronic internal bleeding- they ran a few tests then sent me home and said to take my iron pills like normal ‍♀️ also it should be noted they didn’t ever take my blood pressure or test my blood to check my iron levels. Good staff though

Negative experience: No food no contact day after a family member was put in emergence when said they would would

Negative experience: Stay away unless you want to die

Fantastic experience: What a great emergency department. The staff were extremely helpful, nice and thorough. Dr Beth is my new angel so caring.

Negative experience: Emergency? And you waited for 4hrs? Unbelievable, the management should dp something.

Positive experience: Really good experience all the way from the ambulance to the nurses in the paediatric ward. Only exception was the doctor who dome the hack job of the cast. (I shouldn't say hack, it's such a bad describing word) but it was all rectified. Ta.

Fantastic experience: Staff at Southwest day surgery are doing a great job, I felt like I was in a private hospital, care is excellent. friendly and attentive bunch of staff, hats off for you guys and keep of good work, xx

Fantastic experience: Attended South West Healthcare today for an MRI scan, appointment was on time and a very good experience, thankyou to all the staff involved.

Fantastic experience: ER team provided assistance and great care very quickly, without a delay. The nurses and GP were very sweet, understanding and helpful.

Negative experience: What a joke the ER at Warrnambool is, 41/2 hour and still waiting with an eye injury. Be quicker to drive to Hamilton than coming here. Others come in and are called in but not for someone with an eye problem

Fantastic experience: Exceptional

Positive experience: Professional, well equipped hospital

Negative experience: I had my delivery at SWHC....very poor nursing services...midwifes were horrible...they let my baby go hungry for 24 hours...they were very reluctant to provide formula to my newborn....they used to get very angry whenever I ask for formula to my baby...after 24 hours, I, myself asked for formula milk otherwise mifwifes won't get bothered of any consequences...still got more bad experiences in that maternity warr

Fantastic experience: Very slow and not really up to any standards you don't get seen quick enough.and they don't know a seizure they send you home saying that you have dehydration. So you have the seizure when you arrive home. Not good.wonderful nurses not sure about the doctors who work in emergency..sorry for the put down

Negative experience: If you can avoid this hospital do what you can to do so. Blood from previous patients on tables patients being left in toilets for hours blood thinners being miss used and almost killing people. 14 hour waits in er.. you are better of heading 8 hours inland to some remote nothing town

Fantastic experience: I have had nothing but good experiences with the Staff and services over the last 10 years.

Fantastic experience: I was in the day surgery for a procedure on the 12/1/2021, The care and respect the nurses, Doctor and staff was very good, They took time to ask question to listen to me and explained every thing they made me feel at ease, The Hospital it self was clean and refreshing, The staff very helpful Thankyou.

Fantastic experience: Fast and efficient service

Fantastic experience: Whole team are absolutely the best in the world service and care with dedication and always smiling

Negative experience: Last night my son was sick from alcohol and was antagonized by security although the nurse explained to me she knew how to calms him down and explained it was not all my son's fault. Security left several marks and a unjust to his ribs. He left the premises and as I didn't know at the time my son had left I was walking towards the a&e doors and seen the security guard in question re-enacting what he done. I find this a very unprofessional thing to do and in saying that the nurses and all besides security were wonderful thank you.

Fantastic experience: Thanks to the great staff, very caring , and a big thanks to David the ambulance guy, cheers mate, thankyou all

Fantastic experience: Minor emergency but received excellent care and friendly professional staff.

Negative experience: When here I was treated very badly, Dr D Costello is a disgrace in emergency department. Little Red hair man needs something done about him. Disgusting place.

Negative experience: Worst hospital service ever had, was physicly and mentally sick with servier 10/10 pains with a condition I have yet to be diagnosed with, wasn't given the medication proven to prevent my pain as written up by many other doctors over 10 different times, the nurses all thought I had taken hard drugs and treated me like a heroin addict, was not listened to an was Hardy cared for, worried that ive just moved to town with a hosital like this... will defiantly be traveling to another hospital next time... highly recommend doing the same if your condition requires any midical attention what so ever...

Negative experience: The mental health department don't have any counciling services, don't do follow ups... diagnose you after a 5 min psychiatrist appt and refuse any care. My depression was a 5 out of 10 before going in for help due to a physical incurable disease diagnosis, I left with a 10 out of 10 depression rating. I am so let down and hurt.

Fantastic experience: No waiting for appointments as they're usually always on time

Fantastic experience: The young girls in day surgery unit are incredible they have been goddesses and looked after all of my needs. Very caring young ladies very happy with my stay

Positive experience: I attended the fracture clinic and was told that I had to go and have an x-ray before the appointment so that was an additional cost of nearly $100 for the x-ray and would be Medicare rebated so would only get around $30 back. On-top of this cost I wasn't budgeting for, I had to pay around $150 for the 10 minute appointment which I had to wait for around 45 minutes for. The follow up appointment at the fracture clinic was then held up as I had to go back for another x-ray and yet another $90 for that but at least I didn't get charged to see the registrar at the fracture clinic. They really need to tell you that you have to show up at least 1/2 hour to 45 minutes before your scheduled appointment as you spend so much more time waiting to see someone in both instances. I didn't particularly want to get another x-ray as they knew from the last one they did the fracture was healing. More out of pocket expense for me and more money they're making. Let's just hope that I don't have to come back again for a third appointment.

Fantastic experience: This cancer centre is absolutely marvelous the staff ,surroundings, and specialist treatments available are the most up to date offered My husband has been attending the centre for treatment for 7 months now and we travel from Mt Gambier every fortnight knowing we are receiving the best healthcare available

Fantastic experience: I was in Warrnambool hospital after suffering a vertigo attack, the staff in the Emergency Department were absolutely fantastic in their treatment and the way they showed caring and patience when dealing with not only me but the other patients. I would like to give a special mention to Dr. Rob Reynolds and nurse Paije (don't know her last name ) for all their help and understanding while I was there.

Fantastic experience: I was there to visit a friend, but have nothing but high praise for South West Health care. I have been an impatient there 5 times in the past 2 years and have received first class care from a great team of Nurses and other medical staff. We are blessed to have such a wonderful Hospital in Warrnambool.

Negative experience: Horrible experience, suffered seizure post release from lack of proper medication and service, easily one of the worst experiences of my life by far

Fantastic experience: In the last 10 years, I've had to have the same surgery 6 times in 6 different hospitals, this last time in the care of Warrnambool Base Hospital was the best experience I've had in a hospital. Great facilities, staff, communication and equipment. Absolutely fantastic.

Fantastic experience: Lovely staff and excellent care.

Fantastic experience: Food is exceptional, all the doctors, specialists and nurses are highly professional and friendly.

Negative experience: Absolutley awful. They refused to do my urgent surgery and left me waiting for 48hrs on the hospital bed because they wanted to operate on others first. John Masters plastic surgeon is not recommended. If i did not go to Geelong, i could have sued. Never go here. The amount of lawsuits brought against this hospital is astronomical.

Fantastic experience: Great Hospital. Caring staff.

Fantastic experience: Best hospital ever . I traveled their from mount gambier Tuesday morning to have a thing done on my lung best staff ever A1 class

Fantastic experience: As our first experience with SWH goes, I cannot speak more highly of the medical and nursing staff. My son sustained a serious knee injury playing Basketball and sent across from Portland. The Ortho team that reviewed him in ED were fantastic and swiftly ordered an MRI and he was booked for theatre. He was admitted to the paediatric unit and the staff were nothing short of amazing.

Fantastic experience: What a wonderful establishment. My husband required emergency bowel surgery and every aspect was handled swiftly and so professionally with the most wonderful health care. Our thanks to all the staff. This should be the standard on which our health care system is based. WELL DONE WARMAMBOOL BASE HOSPITAL.

Fantastic experience: Emergency Department, efficient and professional, yes but also are happy, cheery to take the tension out of the air. Make you feel at ease. All staff are very well mannered and informative. They make you feel welcome and are not a bother. I had a brief visit, 10/04/2017, how good it was to see smiles and the occasional song being sung (don't give up your day jobs lol), l found this very relaxing and comforting. Real people. You could nearly say its a pleasure to visit them. Thank you for taking the best care of me.

Fantastic experience: Lovely staff, I wish I could have all my hospital stays here.

Fantastic experience: By far the best experience i ever had at any hospital. We were down from Melbourne fishing at port fairy, and my good friend broke his foot pretty badly. So we stopped in to this hospital on our way home.... From word go the staff were confusing amazing! Really charismatic, sweet, sympathetic, accommodating, and most importantly prompt.my friend had two x rays and a ct scan and had his foot plastered in 3 hours of being there! And not to mention he was seen by the most loveliest doctor Alex, and a bone specialist, and the friendliest nurse. We were sad leaving the place lol we didn't want to go home. Thanks guys u were all amazing!!!!

Negative experience: I went there with a breathing difficulty due to severe hay fever allergy and after 3 hours of waiting they gave me a 25mg antihistamine and asked me to wait a few more hours if I wanted to see a doctor.

Fantastic experience: took great care of me

Positive experience: Been in a few times. The food is not very nice

Fantastic experience: The staff are great people and very happy with the care they gave.

Fantastic experience: Great country hospital. The physicians are excellent and many sit on the board of examiners for physician training so you're getting a good deal. The nursing staff are similarly excellent though the emergency department is not always staffed by the most experienced clinicians. That's about to change though as they are currently hiring someone new to lead it full-time. The new buildings are also looking very impressive.