Despite the negative reviews of our health care system, my husband got first class care from the paramedics up to the ER staff and to Internal medicine on 8.2. I was impressed with response times and treatment times in spite of staff shortages etc. I wish all admissions and treatment times were this smooth. read more

They put in a metal detector to prevent people from bringing weapons in , LMFAO. I was literally lead through the emergency department by a so called security guard to get to the metal detector, if I had been there to cause harm it would have been easy , or I could have passed a weapon on to someone else. I have been to hospitals that have real security, You can't enter by any door without being checked. People wonder why the hospital is understaffed , maybe because the Hospital cares less about their staff then the patients. Would you work under those conditions. read more

After I got through the rude security staff everybody else were kind and gracious. I worked as a nurse in this hospital for many years and am now retired. As a professional in the hospital we were always reminded--even though we didn't need a reminder--to be kind, compassionate and gentle with patients who are already stressed with their illness. When I entered the Emergency Department on Thursday morning September 25th, in a lot of pain--I am 74 years old--I was immediately surrounded my three security staff who made me feel like a criminal. An angry sounding security staff member asked why I was there and then told me to empty my purse and asked if I had firearms. Although I was polite and did not display any signs of aggression whatsoever, all three staff were curt and rude to me. It is a sad state of our society that our culture has deteriorated to this type of treatment especially with an elderly person. The hospital management need to review the behaviour of their staff and realize they are dealing with sick people, not criminals! read more

The registration procedure on Robie Street entrance is inappropriatec and even dangerous for those with mobility issues and heart problems who have to go to the Cardiac unit on the 6th floor. Once registered at Robie, they have to walk or be pushed all the way over to the sumner street area elevator (3-4 city blocks) where they take the elevator to the 6th floor for the Cardiac unit. That is one hell of a long walk and I for one had great difficulty doing it. So, the 2nd time I had to do this, what I did was register at Robie, get back in the car, go to the Sumner street entrance and take the elevator to the 6th floor...Very little walking.. Other than that and a Sergent type nurse who was in charge, the procedure itself was done very well A little forethought would put a kiosk at the Sumner St entrance and save all that anguish. Please keep the patient in mind when you do these things. read more

Let me start off by saying I am a bit biased when it comes to hospitals. Being from a city with soon to be equipped with *5* hospitals, I get a bit judgie. The one thing that bothers me about QEII is the lack of description between the two locations. For eg. If you have to get blood taken you go to the Infirmary. If you have to drop stuff off you have to go to the other location on summer street...But they don't differentiate between the locations. All forms say "QEII" not "QE-summer street" or "QE-Robie street" -- and when you are not feeling well and parking costs you an arm and a leg its a bit annoying having to drive to another location... Ok now onto the specific Halifax Infirmary. The staff and volunteers are friendly. There is this awesome "quick check in" set up so you don't have to stand in line! Everything is relatively marked with dots and colors to you can easily find your way, but if you get lost there are LOVELY people with red vests that will gladly, not only point you in the direction, but take you straight to your destination! Parking is available on site. It comes at a price, and if you are planning on being a while I suggest you take transit. Nothing worse then having to be in hospital and then adding to your bill with a $17 parking ticket. If you are in EMERG. There is a pink slip you can get from the information desk right as you enter, put it in your window and park for *free* in their designated parking area. No spot? No worry! Head on over to the parking structure and when you leave hand your parking ticket and pink slip to the lovely parking people and they void it all for you and you park for free!!! Emergency times are always long. No matter the city or town. But here in Halifax, it seems a bit ridiculous. When I was there, there were people who had been waiting 7 hours to get stitches (this guy seriously needed to be stitched) ---- granted we don't know the behind the scenes, or how many traumas are coming in while we sit in the lovely tv'd waiting room. The intake nurses are lovely, and to the point. Sometimes registering can take a while, but hold onto that last remaining bit of patience and remember they are all probably working double shifts or just finishing that 14 hr drag and want be out of there as quickly as you! All in all the hospital is clean and is well...a hospital. No one truly likes them or likes being in them, but I am sure glad we have one!! read more

It seems a little taboo to write a review on an emergency room, nevertheless here I go. I have never had a very good experience at an ER, I understand there is a triage system but it can get a little frustrating to sit & wait for hours to see a doctor when you're in pain & stressed. I've been to this ER twice & both times I was shocked at how efficient they are & at how quickly we got in to see a doctor. The first time I was there it was due to a more serious situation so I understood why they were so quick but the second time I wouldn't have necessarily deemed an emergency. My boyfriend had a large skin irritation that we were concerned about & because he got off work late our options for treatment were limited. I was convinced we would wait in the ER for hours before we got to see a doctor that late at night with a non life threatening issue. We consulted 811, which is an amazing service, & they recommended we go to the ER, so off we went. We were in and out in an hour and a half & that included waiting 20 minutes after being administered medication. Normally I've waited that long just to talk to a doctor, let alone receive treatment. Since we drove down we parked in the parking garage & I was worried we would rack up quite the bill by the time we left, but this wasn't the case. When you visit Emerg, they validate your parking & you don't have to pay! I don't know if it was just a slow night or if this is their norm, but I was very impressed by our quick & efficient treatment. read more

I've been here as a patient and I love my surgeon (Dr.Chad Coles) but today I am the worried daughter waiting to hear news about my mother. The waiting room next to ICU combined with the state of the washrooms has me furious. This is all before 9am...I was on the fence about posting pictures and writing a review at this time but with another 4hrs at my disposal......perhaps I will visit another section of the facility. read more

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The wait times here are insane. I've ended up in the emergency department a couple of times and both times I was there for 5-7 hours before seeing a doctor. Others in the waiting room had been there even longer. I really don't mind having people who are in worse shape than I am see a doctor ahead of me; that's how it should be. That being said, it's sadly inefficient when it's busy, a sentiment vocalized by a few other patients I was waiting with. The waiting room is pretty small and as a lot of patients have family members with them, it fills up quickly. It can get to the point where some people had to stand up. The wait times seemed to be a result of not having enough staff on. It's really not the staff's fault; they're human and can only do just so much. On that note, the staff here are great, at least in my experience. The doctors, nurses and paramedics I dealt with with were all very kind and gentle with a focus on making the patient feel comfortable. I would give them a higher rating than I'm giving the hospital as a whole. read more

I have a family member on 7.4 (neurology) . It is near impossible to get any information from the nurses. When I do get some, it is different from what another family member was told by a different nurse. Twice in a week, I was promised a "Dr." would call me "after rounds today." No doctor has ever called me. When I call in the late afternoon, after a nurse had been on the unit for over 8 hours, they still don't know what my loved one's diagnosis is or what tests he had done or what tests are imminent and their excuses are ' they're busy,' 'they only work there part time,' or they're not sure, they need to check the computer and it's really slow.' One nurse didn't know the name of the Nurse Manager and when I asked to speak to her I was told she was not there today or the next day. (Of course.) It's as if neurology nurses know that their patients aren't well enough to defend themselves or make requests and family members are not there because of Covid or geographical distance, so they have all this power to abuse by doing nothing and being smug about it. They demand to know your first and last name, but then never give their own name unless you ask, and then only give their first name. Even my family member's nursing home RN could not get hold of anyone on the floor to talk with and called me to see if I had any information! There seems to be a severe lack of consistent care, a systemic lack of accountability, and a lack of diligent charting and reporting leading to a lack of knowledge about what is happening to their own patients, never mind what they pass on to concerned family members. It is very disappointing to learn that nurses behave this way. Beware- it is likely your family member will end up more sick after a few days rather than better. read more

I was in emergency hospital last night for my enlarged gland behind the ear.How ever the concerned person whom I talked with for registration was good enough and welcoming indeed .But the second lady who was at registration was terrible .My little son was with me the sooner she has seen me and my son her facial expression has changed with disgrace and hatred . She explained everything to me with a very negative judgemental look and showed me the waiting area in a reluctant manner .It was not expected specially in the hospital where people deserve non judgemental and non racial care and affection . Proper care and attention It's an part of patients human right .For me as a patient receiving such an improper behaviour and expressing from her .How ever the waiting was so long and because of my pain it became a worst nightmare . How ever at the end doctor was reasonable and good with me to listened my problem and health issues . read more

Boyfriend just came back from the hospital after going there with concerns about a small black bump that appeared on his leg about two weeks ago. The staff out front was very polite and understood why he was worried when he showed them the bump. When he finally got into the room the dr was seeing him in, it took him longer to roll up his pant leg then it did for the dr to decide that it was nothing. But this wasn't before he made my boyfriend feel like his genuine concern was a waste of time and told him to leave. You'd think a dr who's been told the person they're seeing is worried about a weird black skin growth would at least be somewhat professional in this situation instead of picking at the bump with his fingernail, going you're fine and then walking out in under 20 seconds. read more

To anyone complaining you have to realize it is the ONLY trauma centre in Halifax, it also get patients form ALL over NS because they are the only ones with most of the specialties that they have! The staff do the best as they can. read more

Really poor experience. It was like going to a third world hospital. During my time in Halifax I went to the infirmary several times and it was never good. Once in the ER we waited hours with a girl who had a seizure and they wouldn't even check for epilepsy. Instead they said she was likely dehydrated since she said she had a bit of a cold. Then I was in for something and was listening to nurses talking about how patients in for MERSA, an infection not responsive to antibiotics, were allowed in the cafeteria with everyone. The nurses had to wear gowns and suit up when visiting their rooms but as soon as the patients went downstairs to the food vendors, they were no longer considered patients and could infect anyone. Another time there were two ladies chatting about how their doctors had amputate the wrong appendages. read more

Care provided for my mother's husband was excellent. All nurses and doctors were professional and caring. Overall great experience given the circumstances. read more

It's a hospital. They took excellent care of my father in his final days and were more than gracious in accommodating my large family. Although, I'm pretty sure it's up to the doctor and his team. read more

Came in with a massive cut on my arm which was bleeding quite heavily and had severed a tendon as I found out later. No doctors were in until around 8 am the next morning (I was in around 11pm the night before). Got a referral for emergency surgery within 3 days but never got the call. I had to call people from various departments to get an update on the third day, got in contact with the surgeon who looked all over for my file which did not exist apparently at his office or even at emergency. Luckily he got me in for emergency surgery that day but what would have happened if I hadn't called? They made me wait hours to be stitched up and then lost my file that same day (they supposedly sent the referral for surgery as I was leaving that day because they couldn't book me in then). No doctors or even nurses gave me a look past the check in section before 8 am which in itself was worrying enough considering the pain, blood, and the fact that my cut only barely missed my artery. But no, they had to lose my file too They need at least one doctor at night because it seems like if you have an emergency after 9pm you're just going to have to wait until the next morning. Not exactly ideal when you're in serious pain due to what was described as a stab wound read more

In this day and age of reductions and shortages, it is incredible what the professional staff at the QE II are able to accomplish. Dad was airlifted in to the QE II after my Mom and Dad were hit in a head on car accident. From the moment my phone rang onwards, every person involved in my fathers care has been steller. The three Bs govern priority for them: Breathing, Bleeding and Breaks. If you're there for anything else, prepare to wait. Don't get frustrated with them - thank them for their tireless service. If you're sour about the wait, scream at your politicians not at the staff. I'm happy to wait if it means they're saving someone else. Top drawer all the way!!! read more

When there is no room for you in ICU, nice to know they will let you hang out on a stretcher in the hallway like an animal... I guess they are positive thinkers, thinking you will survive without the necessary care you need? Not the Dr or Nurse's fault (they were just as upset about it, but their hands are tied), but the medical system's fault- and it is a disgrace. read more

i went to the emergency room for strep throat. i've head strep quite a few times in last two years so i knew it was strep. i knew it would take weeks to get an appointment with my family doctor so i figured i would go here instead. i arrived at 1:45am and was triaged immediately. at around 6am my medication from earlier had worn off and i was in a lot of pain. i went up and asked for more advil and tylenol just to find out i had apparently been called in at 4:45am and had already been since, which hadn't happened, the nurse who was just getting off and originally triaged me confirmed that i hadn't been called yet. so i had to be retriaged and i figured since i had been sitting for so long i would get in soon but no, two people that had arrived after me still went in before me. however, once i was in i explained to the doctor that it was strep and i just need antibiotics, i had been feeling sick for less then 24 hours so i didn't have the usually strep looking throat. so he looked something up on his phone, told me i had an 11% chance of having strep and sent me home to gargle salt water. fast forward to today i'm feeling worse, can't swallow or talk so i go to the walk in clinic as soon as it opens and was seen within an hour, the doctor didn't even need to properly look at my throat to tell me it was strep and now i have the antibiotics for it. i was at the emergency room for over 7 hours just to be sent home with nothing. would not recommend. read more

I was taken by ambulance from our home because I fainted twice and fell in the process hitting my head on the hardwood floor and lost consciousness. I was experiencing a severe headache by the time we reached the ER, the ambulance people were very nice and started an IV due to my blood pressure dropping to 80/50, they also gave me Tylenol for my headache. Once I was assigned to a room and the ambulance people left....it went all downhill from there. I had been seen earlier that day at a clinic and was diagnosed with a severe kidney infection and was given Cipro. While in the ER, I had 3 nurses come to my room, one drew my blood and 1 asked for a urine sample...which I did immediately. No one ever came back to check on me, no one ever came back in for my urine sample, there were gloves on the floor, a needle cap in another corner on the floor and pieces of paper also on the floor ( rooms not very clean for a hospital)! After several hours of no one checking on me, the ER Dr finally came in and listened to my breathing and asked me a couple of questions...no one even seemed concerned that I might have a concussion, even though I expressed that I had a severe headache, no pen light in my eyes..nothing...nothing was offered for pain and nothing was offered for nausea and I was stunned! I am from the states and now living here and shame on your hospital and lack of caring from nurses and Drs. I was eventually sent for an X-ray to check for kidney stones, which was negative according the the Dr. He did not bring my films in to show me and never showed my lab results to me, only saying " your WBC is up which means you have some type of an infection going on". That was it! 7.5 hrs later and not one thing had been done for me, I just am shocked on how bad patients are treated. The nurses, especially one was extremely rude to me when I asked a question about my x-rays and she walked out and shut the door ! The other nurse removes my IV that has been in with no fluids left in the IV bag ( which the ambulance people put in), then no one came back to tell us we could leave until shift change when a new nurse walked in surprised to see me and said we could go. No discharge papers were given, no follow up instructions, nothing! Is this really the way you treat every patient here? It's ridiculous and you should be ashamed! What happened to oath that Drs use to take when they actually cared about their patients??? Also, I did not appreciate laying there and all I could hear were the nurses out at their stations laughing and goofing around! When your sick the last thing you want to hear is the people that are suppose to be caring for you just having a good old time ...it's no wonder I was never checked on and they never came back in for my urine sample till the Dr came in and asked if I left one...I said " it's right there where I left it hours ago"! It was the worst experience I have ever been through while dealing with a hospital, you would never get treated like that in the states, they, the Drs and nurses actually care about you. Just because Canadians get free health care...should not mean they do not matter and are only given the bare minimum of treatment. I still, 3 days later do not know for sure what is actually wrong with me, but it will not be the QE2 that I ever ever turn to again! You should all be ashamed of how you treat your patients! WORST EVER!!! read more

This place is an absolute disgrace. None of the doctors are on the same page and I found myself having to correct them multiple times about my case, even though I was the one with a high fever and pain. The place itself smells disgusting & is in absolute disrepair and is just plain dirty. AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HAVE ANY HOPE OF GETTING BETTER. read more

In today's environment our health care system is constantly under attack for all of its problems. While the system definitely has areas that can be improved I want to tell my experience with the staff that work in this system. Yesterday morning I went to the Halifax Infirmary at 5:00 am for emergency surgery. I was first on the list. However, overnight there was major trauma that came in that pushed back my surgery about 9 hours. I was bored, hungry and sore. The nurse noticed this and did everything she could to make me comfortable including putting on a stretcher. She also on a regular basis updated me as to estimated time. In a nutshell she was very empathetic and it made my time in preop as good as it could be given the circumstances. I then went to the OR where Dr. Amariault, Dr Milne and their team of Kate, Holly and Dr Rhee explained everything clearly and listened to my stories. I was extremely impressed and thankful. They understood that although they were in a surgery environment all the time, I wasn't and they did their best to make me feel comfortable. I then went to post op where I spent an hour. Ali was my nurse and was exceptional. Almost everyone I encountered did their best to make my experience as best they could. These hospital people work in a difficult system that makes it difficult for them to please the patients all the time. I personally would like to thank each one who helped me through the surgery process. You are all much appreciated. Doug read more