Cowichan District Hospital

Place is a complete joke. Sit in waiting room for hours while they crack jokes. Great service… really care about the patients

First responders and the medical staff have some of the most stressful taxing jobs and yet everyone treated me with so much kindness truly some of the most selfless people you could hope to meet. I hope with the new hospital their work lives can have some of the stress alleviated.

You would think a brain injury would be somewhat of a priority? Nope sit here all night. Nurses at front counter were really nice tho

Place was filthy and the cleaning staff just stand around, only a couple hustled!
Nurses are awesome but overworked!

Rude front desk person. I asked them if there was a other vending.achime in the building that sold beverages and the lady at the door window said probably down stairs by the cafeteria.the front desk guy was like is he allowed to go down there? Like I was some kind of sketchy person looking to steal. Get some custom service skills. Also the other lady should learn to give directions. Very long wait also, while ppl arriving after us got in first

Unfortunately I have had to have numerous testing procedures in CDH in various departments over the past couple of years. All of the staff, from the very friendly, helpful greeter in the front hall to the intake people to the nurses and technicians, all are first class including a short stint in the ER.
A special shout-out to Donna on the fourth floor who worked with me to get good results from an annoying testing procedure.
She is exceptional, from the first phone call yesterday to confirm my appointment to the 45 minutes we spent together to get the results she was looking for.
Thank you for being you, Donna, my wife and I appreciate you and your demeanour.

I am proud to call CDH my community hospital! The care I receive from the nurses, technicians, Doctors, surgeons, support staff is always friendly and top notch! Thank you CDH!

This is for the MRI imaging department
I had an MRI booked by a vascular surgeon then my general surgeon also requested an MRI so I called the department to see if both of these abdominal MRIs could be done in one sitting
It took three separate calls to get an answer, the answer was yes. Good to this point
Then I received my letters in the mail and the night before I get the confirmation phone call
The morning of I am up prepping to come in and get a call at home to say we can’t do those MRIs here they will have to be rebooked in Nanaimo
This was after waiting a substantial time for this first appointment. No explanation other than we can’t do it even after three phone calls the week before confirming all was good
Now I wait with a possibility after talking with the supervisor that maybe one of them could be done two weeks from now.
I am still not sure where?
Very concerned especially if further investigation may need doing depending on results

Unbelievable attention at the Cowichwan Emergency Hospital, Nurse's were kind and Professional, and Most important was the detailed observation from Dr. Plante, emergency doctor.
My long term GP in Richmond told me how impressed he was with Dr. Plante's Professional work done.so 100% thanks to Dr. Plant and all the Staff at the Cowichan Emergency Room,
YOU ARE THE BEST.cheers Kenneth James Robson

I have been here many times and have always been treated in a timely manner by some wonderful staff. A big Thank you

CDH is a wonderful place. All of the doctors and nurses I have interacted with have been kind, helpful and caring. Parking is free, which seems to be more and more rare in our country these days. All in all, the staff here have done an incredible job navigating a challenging system during the one of the most challenging times in our history. Thank-you to everyone at CDH for keeping our community healthy.

I want to tell everyone how wonderful my care was at Cowichan Hospital. Everyone who interacted with me was so kind, so caring and skilled. I owe them my life to you all. I feel so much appreciation and gratitude to the ER, ICU and 2 North Doctors, RNs Techs.of your hospital. Best wishes to all of you, susan

Worst hospital ever.my moms boyfriend is in there cause of him throwing up blood and all they did was give him gravel and a IV they didn’t even do tests or anything.and when i was sick they just sent me to a different hospital. WORST HOSPITAL EVER

I’ve been there multiple times for mental health reasons. I am a minor but they still continue to release me to nobody something which they cannot do. Not only that but I’m treated like trash they all show so much hatred for me when in reality I just want help. If you’re there for mental health reasons leave. Go to a more professional, experienced and kinder hospital. The amount of times I’ve heard nurses saying horrible things about me is unacceptable they need to educate their nurses. Being there made me want to die even more than I already did.

(Originally posted April 2022)
I was admitted to the hospital last Saturday and was released on Thursday (almost 6 days). I was blown away with the high standard of care I was given. Every nurse, doctor, porter and cleaner had a smile on their face and a kind word for everyone. I watched how each person in my room was cared for with kindness and compassion. The hospital is old, so I was expecting it to be dirty and have that hospital smell … I was pleasantly surprised at the cleanliness (I watched the ER cleaner wipe every surface and in my room I watched them literally take everything apart and prep for the next patient - note, this is a must, but I’m skeptical that this protocol is adhered to in every facility).

Thank you to the entire staff for getting me back to good health and for providing such great care. I hope I never have to go back, but if I do, I know I’ll be well taken care of.

Warmly,

Camille Ufnal

(re: Ambulatory Ward)

an absolutely wonderful experience.had to go for surgery and got the best care i could hope for.nurses and Drs were cheerful, friendly, kind and compassionate. All staff came across as knowledgeable, skilled and careful.i felt completely safe and well cared for.

This hospital has good people working at it, but the waiting time is BRUTAL. I'm on the verge of collapsing because I'm waiting 3 HOURS to get blood results back to tell me if I have a blood infection. My ankles are swelling and they're tingling, my hands are tingling, I have a migraine, and a fever, and im having trouble breathing and everyone who has got here after me is going ahead of me. I wish this hospital worked like their life depended on it and not like they have all the time in the world. This island needs more DOCTORS! WE NEED OUR HEALTH TAKEN SERIOUSLY! I'm a nursing student and someone having trouble breathing should be seen immediately.

To clear up a lot of the mixed reviews here, I will start by saying all the booked appointments in my experience have been great, staff was really friendly, helpful and attentive and i wasnt left waiting all that long. However if you show up to emergency and your not literally dieing, you might as well go home.

I found the hospital staff very kind and efficient. The hospital is old and one would think it might not be great, but it is. I had an ultrasound. I was checked quickly and efficiently. My results went to the doctor right away resulting in a very quick follow up and surgery in a timely manner. The staff in the emergency were kind and efficient, as was the surgery and follow up. I was impressed at how well the information travelled from clinic, to labs, to doctors and ultimately to me the patient. With staff shortages what they are throughout Canada, I can say that my experience with this hospital and staff left me feeling very lucky and impressed.

I delivered my first child at BC Women's and my second at the Duncan Hospital. I was a bit reluctant to deliver there at first but it ended up being a superior experience. You can tell that the nurses and doctors have a solid team and good working relationships, it translates into excellent care for their patients.

I've been to the maternity clinic and medical imaging department for xrays and ultrasounds and haven't had a single issue. Everyone has been nice. Even over the phone I haven't had anyone rude nor have I felt like I wasn't being listened to. The directions in the hospital are super easy to follow as long as you pay attention and read for signs. Even if you get lost there's always someone nearby to help you out. Wifi is accessible and makes wait times easier but I also haven't had to wait longer than 10-15 minutes with any of my appts.

Waited 5 hours with only one person also waiting.
I appreciate what they do but worst service ever ha.

I filed a complaint on behalf of my mom and the hospital responded right away. They called us twice to apologize for our bad experience and dealt with the issue. I was very impressed.

Everything was very organized and all safety precautions were in place, I think they could use a little better signage about where people should go on the outside of the building as it's changed due to covid, but I think everybody's doing the best they can under the circumstances. I was going for tests and it's a hospital so it's hard to say much about it, everybody was kind and courteous I think everybody's working hard.

To all the staff at the maternity ward THANK YOU! Words just don’t feel like enough to repay all your kindness and love! Every single one of you are amazing humans. You all have a special place in our hearts. Thank you for being part of our surrogate journey. I have nothing bad to say because every thing went perfectly. We love you all and keep up all the hard work!

Brent in pulmonary was so funny and on his game! Man knows his stuff and it was an amazing experience!

The covid screening process was thoural. The attendant kind. Here the technician who did the test was awesome. Light hearted. Humorous. Professional. Kind. Much appreciated. Thanks everyone! Please like my review if it was helpful.

A lady at the front desk of ER was horrible. I wonder why she works there. She seems like she hates working with patients and gets frustrated at them easily. She was doing something with her cell phone when I was there and I had to call out to her several times over the plastic window to get her to notice me. She whispered alone why I was here and not my local, smaller hospital. I wish I could tell her I was here because this hospital had more equipment than others.
Over 3hrs waiting I couldn't wait anymore there because the pain gets worse. So I went to MY LOCAL ER, a nurse told me I should stay the ER of Cowichan hospital to get CT scan. I wish local healthcare centers had CT Scans and better ultrasound machines, because then I'd never have to go to this hospital and see that woman again.

Awful experience. Went to the emergency with a painful, severely swollen inflamed wrist, waited for full four hours after checking in, even though it was empty. Got tired of waiting and pain, decided to go back home. I thought the staff are paid to take care of the public who go to the emergency care for a reason. I felt it was a fish market and the staff were on vacation, talking about their personal issues while I was there waiting for four hours. SHAMEFUL!

If I could give a poorer rating I would. My doctor orders an x-ray. Faxes the request to the Duncan hospital. A week later I get a call from the hospital advising me that it will take 5 weeks to get the x-ray. I get a copy of the requisition from the doctor's office, drive to Langford, get x-ray 2 hours later. Not only is the administrator of this hospital NOT doing his job, the staff in this hospital believe themselves to be the "Saviours of the universe" instead of Servants of the public. This hospital is inefficient, poorly run and has a severe dose of apathy towards the public. Shame on you, the BC medical system, for allowing this state of being for this hospital and staff.

This hospital's mental heath team destroyed my family, don't let them do it to yours. Be very cautious.

The hospital's, decent, and MOST, of the staff are pleasant to be around- but when i have nurses 'snapping' and 'growling' at me in their outfits outside the hospitalor the property it makes me worried to step foot inside the hospital its self.

This hospital has helped me through many difficulties. The nurses and doctors I have encountered have mostly been super kind and helpful. It is not located in the most accessible spot for the whole community it serves, which includes Duncan as well as the surrounding towns. Usually when I have gone to this hospital the emergency room has had a wait of a few hours. There's a new hospital apparently on the way, which promises to be larger. But unless it has more beds and bedrooms, it's not going to be a huge improvement. There have been many times when I have seen people out on beds in the hallways, and that absolutely has to change with the construction of the new hospital.

Misdiagnosis multiple times. Lack of care and compassion. Some staff at CDH lie, manipulate and are not there for helping people. Staff sleep on couches while patients look for a nurse for medications.

My mother and I had a great experience there as she had her knee replaced a few weeks ago. All the staff we encountered were friendly, professional and worked well together to support my mom with a very patient centred approach.

WORST HOSPITAL BY FAR DO NOT COME HERE! The service is horrible, I’ve been here 3 times & ALL TIME have the same HORRIBLE experience! These people disgust me that work here, do not care about there jobs whatsoever.would give ZERO stars if possible. Save your time that u wait A HOUR to only register yourself and take the hour drive to Victoria! Hospital full of junkies that get attended to before people that are really in visable pain! ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED

On a few people waiting to see nurse and been here for 4 hours and not one person has been taking care of. Not even busy!

Last weekend while in town for ocean falls reunion, I had the luck to slip and fall, as an 80 yr old lady it was pretty awful, I met great people as a result. First were the medics who gently picked me up off the street that had jumped up to greet me, totally great service, I was off to the hospital with as much decorum I could sum up for the occasion, went thru all the preliminary stuff, xrayz doctors and nurses, who gently coaxed me into moving the arms and legs, gave me some handy meds and smiles, I really appreciated the care and comfort, thank you folks, for the time you took for me, p.s. I missed the darn reunion, but I'm getting mobile again as I write, I love these new gadgets, can't hold a pen yet. But never fear Duncan I shall return.

So our 94 yr old dad is in hospital with several declining health issues, and while receiving great care in 3 north (overflow) as well as in intensive care he was then switched out as someone more in need required his room. We, the family were okay with this move until were ejected at 2230 told it was against policy to allow any family to stay the night as he was now in a 4 bed room. As he is dying, and had been Promised he would not be left alone, we were understandably distressed, especially since he choked three seperate times that only our being here saved him as he was unable to call out or Find the callbell in time! Dad was nearly in tears and didnt understand, and the only comfort given was, well a nurse will look in once an hour! Just FYI nowhere in the rules and regs does it back up that "POLICY" EDICT IN FACT Cowichan District website brags there are no limitations on visiting hours.

In my 7 years of health care work, traveling to different hospitals around British Columbia, this one stands out as the biggest nightmare in my memory. I have seen ER nurses here shrug off a dying patient and go for a smoke, allowing him to pass away. The reputation here is so bad, that I have heard this hospital (abbreviated CDH) regarded as "Come Die Here" or "Cowichan Death Hospital". If this isn't enough, I'll add that the people that work here in ER and in maternity are some of the most awful, rude, and miserable people I have ever met in my life.

Great staff, professional and polite, in a fast paced way. Had my 11yr old son stitched up and back to being a boy! Thank you so much!

Just had a total knee replacement done here. Took some time to get a booking date due to how busy this hospital is; hope the new one is built soon. Everyone I dealt with was professional, efficient, knowlegeable and empathetic. Wonderful folks doing great work.

I had my rent stolen by a cleaner from this hospital posing as a caregiver. Shameful that they hire thieves who enable drug addicts and steal from patients.

I had an ultrasound appointment booked which was already confirmed. Then I get a call less than 24 hours saying they chose my spot to give to someone else. I told the receptionist no that I would like to keep my appointment because I already confirmed it and had to work around my husband to take time off work to take me. She then told me she’d have the ultrasound department call me. I never heard back from them and so I assumed there was no changes for my appointment since I didn’t get a call or message. So I go to my appointment the next day and I check in and no one tells me my appointment is cancelled. So when the technician comes out to take me in she tells me they’ve changed my appointment without even notifying me and lying to me that they left a message telling me they changed my appointment. Then they tell me they needed to change my appointment for someone urgent. If it was so urgent then the patient should have been booked in the day before, and if it was so urgent the ultrasound department should have stayed a bit longer just so this person could have her ultrasound if it was so important. Who’s to say that someone else case is more important than your own? Everyone’s case is important so as a health care provider do the right thing and stay a bit later to accommodate that person who needed they appointment. Because if it was so important they should have taken the patient in when she called or Stay an extra hour at work to get her to come in. This hospital is very inconsiderate and they expect patients to give them a 2-3 day courtesy call for any changes or cancellation yet they can’t even do the same for their patients? No respect, and rude nurses and technicians. No one tries to find a solution they just do what’s best for themselves not the patient. They don’t put their patients first or treat them all equally.

Let's give a couple classic examples of the exemplary experience you can expect at this wonderful hospital.
First, right off the bat. Feel free to give the hospital a call to request simple information or ask a few questions. Miserable receptionist. Cold and could really care less. Might even let out a giggle upon realizing you are upset. On a power trip:)
Moving along.
1. One anesthesiologist on hospital floor. Several women giving birth? Well, I am sorry but only one of you ladies is able to get an epidural. Oh, you need something to relieve the pain? We have two nitrous oxygen tanks on the floor, line up! One might also be broken/out of service.
2. Checking in at the front? Be prepared for women behind the desk to be chatting away, ignoring the patients. They might even initiate eye contact, but that doesn't mean anything.
3. On to the next check in desk. The person behind the desk may ask questions such as 'Why is your doctor doing this, instead of this? ". Well, I am not a doctor and don't have that information off hand. Let me just call my doctor while I am here, and find out for you.
4. Be prepared to be treated like you are an idiot because you don't work in a hospital therefore if you have any questions you are treated like you are wasting their time.
5. Miserable nurses all around. Hey, this is my job, I just need the money. Do I need to have any empathy, or make a patient feel calm and comfortable?