Cambridge Memorial Hospital - Cambridge, Ontario

Mohammad A.

I had a very nice and comfortable experience at the hospital today.. Especially my triage experience was very good. The nurse Miss CJ was comforting and was with a positive attitude towards me and assured that my health will be back to normal soon.. I really appreciate miss CJ for her compassionate and happy attitude towards a sick person. Thank you.

Meg S.

We had very poor experiences in the ER and medical units. It was the stuff of nightmares. The patient I was supporting had their charting done incorrectly in ER, the oncologist arrived to the room surprised to see the charting indicated they weren't on oxygen following pulmonary embolism, only to realize that there was clearly other patient info on the chart. After being in the Med B unit and moved to a semi private room, the roommate in the room died. Their child buzzed for a nurse and after 45 minutes I went to get one as her son was quite distressed. The patient I was supporting was unable to manage leaving the room for long periods of time. After an hour the family had said their goodbyes and I assumed the lady who had passed would be moved, she was out in the open not behind a curtain. The nurses moved her behind a curtain and there she sat for an entire day, while staff brought her lunch and then were distressed upon moving the drape to discover she was passed. I stayed round the clock and prior to that no one was regularly checking in on this lady. I observed a lack of staffing, people left on commodes for long periods of time, commode bags sitting full of excrement for long periods of time. There were some very kind nurses and PSWs, but others seemed irritated by requests. Buzzing for support resulted in long waits for that to arrive (sometimes 30-40 minutes). As I was present the whole time there was minimal buzzing to happen. Medication errors were made (specifically antibiotics) even when I advocated that the medication was changed. Social works only concern was discharge, there was no care about what home would look like, supporting the patients emotional needs, just needed the bed. A blood transfusion was stopped too early, left incomplete and then finished, but after the time we were told it should be completed by.

I would not wish Cambridge Memorial ER or Medicine Units on my worst enemy. The disorganization was scary and I worry for patients who don't have advocated or family with them throughout their visit as many patients in the medicine unit were not able to advocate for themselves.

That is not to say there weren't some kind nurses and PSWs along the way. But overall left with a feeling that things there are not safe for patients, the hospital is unable to effectively manage the stress of the number of patients, etc. and as such mistakes are being made. Our doctors in all areas were helpful as well. Even the errors were likely due to staff being overrun. However, hospitals have been overrun for a long time and patients still deserve to be treated like human beings, safety still needs to be expected. Would not come back if we needed to be readmitted, would go elsewhere.

Shazia A.

Unbelievable delays and poor management. Waited for 3 hours after triage and then was called in for Dr. Checkup we thought may take a hour or half as one Dr with 16 patients but now it has taken over 5 hours and no idea when will Dr show up. I urge you please don’t come to CMH. It’s worst hospital management. Never seen in my life like this. I got headache and trauma due to this. Please pls avoid coming here

Geoffrey F.

Honestly great experience with all of the birthing and recovery Doctors, nurses, and staff across the board. My wife and I were very grateful for the support we received. The team was knowledgeable, compassionate and professional. Same goes for any other experience I’ve had here.

My only gripe (warning to others) is the lack of food options for supporting / visiting people. The parking lots are also small and can fill up quickly if you just have a day appointment.

Rob B.

Thank you for all of your excellent efforts! I went into the Cambridge Memorial Hospital ER in great pain due to a kidney stone. Even though it was a very busy ER, the staff recognized my medical emergency and heightened pain level and quickly hooked me up to a pain killer i.v..
This didn't take long and then I was sent back into the waiting room to wait my turn, along with everyone else, to see a doctor ( but in much less discomfort). I thought that this action on the part of ER staff made a great deal of sense and I have nothing but praise for the care that I received at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital ER!

Nomaan

Worst hospital ER experience. Canadian healthcare system is broken overall buy this hospital seems even more inefficient.

Front line triage nurse displays cold attitude. When entering the ER, they have a pad to write your name and reason for visit and the lady who is to monitor that desk was away for over 45 minutes. When inquiring from the first triage nurse, she says with a cold shoulder, I am one person and to wait. No one bothered to check even the reason of the visit for nearly an hour and I am not talking about seeing a triage nurse. That took another hour.

I am now here for nearly 9 hours and have yet to see a doctor. The average wait time throughout the night was displaying 5 to 5 and a half hours. I normally do not like to visit the hospital unless absolutely necessary but based on this experience, the lesson appears to be that do not come here unless you are dying.

Inefficient and poor service overall with exception of a couple of staff members who were pleasant.

Charmi K.

Worst staff. My husband went with my 6 year old son who is non verbal , had fever, was not drinking and eating anything and there was no urin output but staff was very rude. my son was advised to wait on chair in high degree fever after investigation, even though his urin output was not present and he was not taking anything orally hosp staff did not give any fluid. Also even in this condition he was examined by nurse practitioner and not doctor, that lady was very rude. We do not know we should blame system, hospital or staff but it seems they want a person to come on death bed so that they can provide proper care and trearment .

Rano W.

One of the worst hospitals in Canada, they took me to the ER because my blood sugar was low and put me in a wheelchair for 4 hours. I told the clerk I needed to go to the bathroom. She didn't help me and looked at me with contempt. I don't know why. After that they didn't do any tests on me. The biggest shock was when the doctor came and didn't like anything about it. He started to make fun and was arrogant and had no humanity. He asked me what I thought caused my blood sugar to be low. I told him you are the doctor not me. The fatigue increased and I left without any benefit or treatment. I will never go back to this hospital again.