Northern Lights Regional Health Centre

Went to emergency this morning to have my back checked by a Dr, and it seemed as though maybe a bartender was filling in instead of a Dr. I injured my back a few days ago and with little improvement since I thought if anybody could help the hospital, a 2 star rating as the nursing staff was friendly and finally got me a wheel chair once I was called in. The "Dr" Paul Geoffrion, was in and out within 2 minutes, zero physical assessment to determine my back condition. Simply asked what I did and before I finished explaining he was already filling out the wcb form, checking off that I was fit for light duty and that I'm capable of bending, twisting, lifting over my head, and driving. Zero physical assessment, zero care for what I was explaining as he insisted on speaking over me for the two minutes he was in the room, must have had a lunch booked with the mayor as he completely disregarded my explanation in such a hurry he handed me my piece of paper and said take care. Incredibly disrespectful, unprofessional, and honestly pathetic that person calls themselves a doctor. Unbelievable.

On august 5th I noticed tightness in upper left quadrant, difficulty breathing. Was sent to this hospital after medic said I needed X-ray and ultrasound, upon being seen by the doctor at 1pm, he pressed on my stomach twice and said “ it’s probably nothing, we’re done here” no stethoscope, no bloodwork, no X-ray, no ultrasound, he didn’t even lift up my shirt when examining the area. Shocked in disbelief I caught the next flight home where I was assessed by a REAL doctor and was given an ultrasound which revealed an enlarged spleen. ABSOLUTE malpractice, I spent almost 1000$ to get home immediately because of this negligent doctor refusing to help a patient in need. I would’ve had better treatment in the Middle Ages. This “doctor” could have killed me had I listened to him. DO NOT GO HERE

Imagine going to the hospital for severe back pain, headaches and other concerns then being told my the doctor that he can't do anything. Why are you even a doctor if you don't want to do your job? Go hire someone more competent that can do there job.

In my 22 years in Fort McMurray, I've never had a bad experience at this hospital, for both myself and my kids. I just had day surgery and the entire process was painless, (literally & figuratively). Rae Del (not sure on spelling) & Jessica in the day surgery unit were so caring & amazing! Rae Del is hillarious and made me forget how nervous I actually was. The OR nurses were very friendly, thorough, personable and made me feel so comfortable through the whole process. The Anesthesiologist was fantastic as well. Dr. Haq Nawaz was a superstar Doctor as usual. She is the greatest doctor I've ever had and her bedside manner is second to none

Wife having panic attack was not helpful at all.was very sick no beds available. Horrible place. I can only comfort is hoping the government lays most of these people off. This is why nurses have no public support. Staff everywhere tripping over them and no one helped my wife

Doctors misdiagnosed both of my children, 3 different times.

Also impatient and rude registration nurses

Have spent several adventures here and I am so very impressed by the quickness of waiting times and how quickly emerg room procedures, surgical procedures and referrals to specialists are. Originally from a province and city where you sit in the waiting room for 12-18 hours (pre-pandemic) to have your named called.

Great Hospital and Staff, waiting period shorter these days! Great Staff Caring: Doctors do rounds regularly! Thank You for Saving my Life!

Terrible, on my way to edmonton to see some actually Doctors. Save yourselves and make the drive.

The best medical service ever. Best Nurses and doctors. They make you feel safe and in good hands. My mom was ICUed twice, with one heart failure but the whole medical team was very efficient. Just professionnal people with simple mission of life savors.
At this hospital a patient is a human and a simple number.
Thank you all.

Swelling and bruising on leg radiating up to knee and wait five hrs still not seen by anyone, slow in waiting room, very slow hospital,

People go here for emergency needs, Please be fair. I am always, and always having a bad experience here. I don't understand why children who is sick and needs medical attention gets ignored. And vomiting plus dhiarea is not an urgent matter hence a child can be dehydrated quickly! Some nurses are rude as well some aren't.

Wow!

I recently moved up to Fort Mac. First time being in the hospital up here!
The way I was treated the moment I walked in was incredible!
Nurses in ER were more then amazing. I ended up being admitted.
Dr Indar did such an amazing job! Nurse Zyra, Olivia, and Miurim were heckin amazing! And to the rest of the nurses THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

I was brought in by ambulance today because my back pain was so severe I couldn't walk on my own. I was unable to sit up in a truck due to the pain so called 911. After arriving at the hospital Dr Falk asked me what was wrong with my back. I explained to him I had knee surgery in June and due to overcompensation sometimes my back causes me severe pain. I explained that this pain has started 4 days ago but had now progressed to the point I can't function.
He told me he doesn't know what I expect him to do that hospitals aren't hotels and that I will need to wait for an mri which will take weeks and cant be ordered from emerg. I am on the cancellation list for MRI so while there I called and asked if any room and explained my back was out, mri dept told me he could fill out paper work and they would squeeze me in. The dr Did no test or exam on my back just ran blood and looked up a xray from 4 months ago. He returned and said I cant use emerg as a place to bump up my mri appointment and he was discharging me and wouldn't be sending me home with a bag of opiates that I will have to figure out how to walk. I didn't take nor was I offered one pain med while I was there so not sure why he felt it was ok to assume I wanted opiates. The bottom line is I paid for a ambulance cause I couldnt walk and the dr refused to run any test or help me just blamed me for trying to get in faster for a mri appointment and wanting meds. I was rolled out to the front by a nurse until my ride could help assist me to walk out.

I wish I could leave a three star review here but I need to put two stars to get the point across. I had major surgery and numerous appointments here so I have experience. In some cases it is a five star hospital. I think the nurses are great, as well as some of the other support staff.

Many of the doctors however are nothing less than negligent, especially at the Ortho clinic (one man in particular) and in the radiology department (multiple things missed here including the Big C. TWICE). My spine surgery left me disabled and only now (after leaving town because of it) am I getting any partial relief with something that could have easily been done years ago if that surgeon had the knowledge and humility to do so and acknowledge he made a mistake. Everyone is human, mistakes can be expected, own up to it and help with the path forward, don't leave the person stranded, and don't lie in your reports, it confuses the matter even more.

The emergency department is also no better. I had to bring my toddler in 3 times to get the right treatment on two occasions, and left to wait hours on one of those occasions. She was in horrible pain the poor thing.

All I can say here is avoid the major stuff if you can, question all reports generated, go to Edmonton or Calgary and even then question the specialist you are being referred to from your doctor in McMurray.

I hate to say it, but if you have major health issues, like many others before you, leave town, this place could literally kill you.

I hate being in a hospital but I had to be there! So many Nurses and Doctors helped me get my treatment. Thanks Trina and Dr Denga. The Cleaning staff and Dining staff also were very friendly. Also a shout out to the amazing staff at Alberta Central Air Ambulance for transporting to Edmonton and back.

If you need surgery or anything serious done DO NOT GO HERE trust me. You can ask around town and hear all the horror stories yourself, they are negligent and incompetent

This was a very good hospital. They knew the procedures and provided the correct treatment. Nice and knowledgeable doctors who knew what they were doing, especially Dr. Tommy, Dr. Rizvi, Dr. Haleem and all the nurses they took utmost care of the patient. Highly recommend.

Nurse at maternity unit name ocean is excellent.very caring.helped my wife during pregnancy.god bless you.could not meet her at time of dischage but thank you for your exceptional support.

During this covid19 crisis the Drs and nurses are putting their life in jeopardy to save us and our loved ones. My son was just recently discharged after a stay in ICU and a very short stay after. I believe the staff saved my son's life as his Oxygen levels were so low. This is miracle. I can't imagine under these circumstances, how difficult their job is. Please believe covid is life threatening. Also let's applaud front line workers.

Absolutely appaled by our visit. Went in for an emergency, the staff could not have been slower. There was very few if any other patience at this time as the waiting room was empty and I noticed most of the emergency stalls were also empty as we got walked back to our room.once being set in our room it did not take long to figure out the room without a doubt had not been properly cleaned as there was still blood stains on the floor (not what you'd expect out of a hospital) if that wasn't enough there was watter dripping from a ceiling light down the wall that had bubbled and pealed all the paint off the wall.trying to put all this aside was hard enough as is. Then when an emergency came up and assistance was needed. It took over 45 minutes after pressing the emergency assistance button before anyone had come to check, still took another 20+ minutes for the assistance to return with medication, arrived at 1: 45am took them untill after 11am the next day to get our room. The specialist/doctor didn't come down in that entire time just kept playing telephone tag with the nurses.although its basically what to expect out of alberta medical services still heart breaking to see. Very disappointed, the hospital service in fort mcmurray is pretty much on par with everything else in town here. I do have to mention as slow as the service was all the nurses but 1 were very friendly and pleasant to deal with. Just be nice to get results and a professional doctor for once.

We had our first baby delivered thru ceasarean section. Everything went well. Thank you for your great services. Special thanks to Dr. Haq Nawaz and her colleagues for the safe delivery of our child. To the 3 Jaimees, Karen and Kelsey, all the staff and personnel and specialists who looked after our child and my partner, you did an exceptional job. I can't thank you enough for your care and commitment. My respect for all of you is as huge as the universe. Thank you all.

The staff this morning at the registration in the emergency room were the rudest people I ever met in my life. Zero customer experience super pushy and not welcoming at all. We deserve better

At the Fort Mc hospital at the moment and have waited 5 hours so far. I understand when a hospital is busy but being understaffed is a whole different story especially during the times of covid. There is only one doctor here at the moment treating all of emergency units. They really need to hire more doctors for working nights and like other cities in alberta, showcase what their emergency wait times are approximately.

Nurses in the surgical unit were efficient and attentive. Dr. Bressan was an amazing surgeon.
I received excellent care.

Worst place to have a baby. It was the worst experience of my life. No care, no privacy, rude doctors/nurses and they're so quick and pushy to get you out of there. I've had friends with similar experiences who refuse to have another child because of the post-birth care they got. Should probably work on that.

It have the cool things that would work better if I could have the opportunity if i am a doctor

I was a stubborn patient, they were still very kind and accommodating. Knowledgeable and very friendly staff, they keep a clean and tight ship.

I had to go twice there in less than 3 weeks for hearth acting up. Never had an issue quick and easy. Tests have being scheduled in a quick and easy way. By far this one has being quicker than any other place I've visited.

The staff was polite and friendly. But the service is poor like lacking of doctors. Hoping in the near future hire more doctors for faster assistance to the patient.

I Had really bad abdominal pain that wouldn't go away. It was a sharp pain also on my left side below my rib cage. I took pain killers like advil and tylenol extra strength. It still wouldn't go away. When I went in to see the doctor he really didn't help me. Despite the amount of pain I was in prior to going in. It hurt to sit down stand up and laydown. It still really hurts. Very rude doctor. The doctor basically said there's no magical pill i can give you. When all I needed was to find out what is causing it. I will just go
see my family doctor.

Very pleased with my visit. Very friendly staff. They get you in and out of there as fast as you can.

Visited this hospital many times over few years for multiple reasons. All issues were non critical. Ambulatory care centre is very busy and most of the time is behind schedule due to volume of patients or unknown reasons. However last two visits were on time. No need to wait and there was not many patients. Nurses and doctors are very caring and helpful. Hospital is neat and clean. They’re very knowledgeable, professional and friendly. Emergency centre was not busy. Can be seen less than an hour. Overall had good experience.

Good luck finding a parking spot. Glad I pay 30% of my income in taxes for "free"health care.

The ambulatory care needs to make appointments further apart. I sat there for 2 hours waiting for my appointment had to change other important dr appointments to adjust for the 2 or more hour delay on the appointment. It got so busy there is no room for ppl to sit and got very crowded with sick ppl everywhere in a small room. The lady at the desk was rude.

The staff and doctors at the facility are very friendly, helpful and courteous. Appointments are organized and efficient. My only issue with this facility is the parking. I've Missed appointments and late for others driving around in circles for an hour looking for parking. Can't cancel appointments when there's no place to park and they make your appointment a no show instead. Why is there no parkade here? I pity the people living on the next street as it's flooded with hospital overflow parking as well. I recommend getting operations and and any appointments only available at the hospital in another region if possible like Edmonton.

Worst place if you're looking for help and they will give you in pills what's the point in having a hospital if they cant help you just feed you drugs

On behalf of my Dad, thanks so much to all the doctors, nurses and staff here. My Dad was a very sick man when he came in, and the nurses and doctor acted very quickly to diagnose, treat him and provide relief. He was there for 11 days and found everyone to be super friendly, they gave him choices and say in the care they provided, and all of his questions were answered thoroughly. He's very impressed with the level of care he was provided, and so are we. He's back home healthy, and has done a complete 180 in terms of changing his lifestyle so he never ends up in that state again. Thank you once more.

Great care excellent staff friendly caring efficient services was taken care of at all times thank you my stay was less stressful