Overall, I have had positive experiences at Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) over the years. I…read morehave had medical appointments here. I have also had surgery, as has my mom. My dad has escaped a stay (knock on wood!) at this hospital.
I did a couple of nutritional sessions with a dietician at this hospital over a decade ago. I got a referral by my doctor and it was two sessions that proved helpful. I enjoyed the field trip that we did to the Loblaws nearby and learning how to effectively read nutrition labels on products, along with in-classroom instruction. These sessions were helpful guiding me in losing sixty pounds and keeping most of it off to this day.
I have also seen a rheumatologist and an ophthalmologist at MSH. The former was to rule out a finding from my bloodwork. The latter was similar, to rule out a detail found in an x-ray.
I had surgery at this hospital over a decade ago here. The process to check in, change, get anesthesia administered, have surgery, go through physiotherapy, and gradually return to my normal self was thoughtfully planned. My surgeon was awesome, who scheduled a couple of post-surgery appointments to make sure that I was on the mend and got my staples removed.
I was a patient for four days. The meals were okay. I obviously survived. I looked forward to them because I'm just that type of person. I chose the diabetic plan because I wanted less sugar. I also knew the food drop-off schedule like clockwork... haha!
Staff were competent, from the nurses and doctors, to the radiologists and various interns. No complaints.
My mom also had surgery here. Her stay was a bit longer, but she was made to feel comfortable. She also had a physiotherapy component.
The wait times can be extremely long. Even with an appointment, I remember my appointment being at least two hours in length, with most of it being a wait.
It's paid parking. You basically pay at a kiosk. If you are lucky to have someone drop you off and pick you up, you'll save a bit. For my last appointment post-surgery, my dad dropped me off and picked me up. It was great, but trying to let him know when my appointment was nearly done was tough to predict.
As with most hospitals in Canada, if it's for an emergency, expect a wait. Triage at MSH is much better than at other hospitals in the GTA, such as Toronto Western and Birchmount (formerly Scarborough Grace). Many factors are at play, from how many doctors are on staff to see patients, to the severity of the health issue.
I booked COVID-19 shots for my parents in a building next to the hospital during the height of the pandemic. My parents were pleased with how things went. My dad didn't complain, so things went smoothly and they got their shots together.
It's a decent hospital. I am thankful for the care that my mom and I have had.
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