St John Of God Burwood Hospital

First off, if I could rate a zero I would. I won't go into detail because I have more respect and decency towards the people that work there than they did to me. Both horrible and good things came out of this place. My medication was chopped and changed dangerously quickly (we know this as later we seeked the opinion of a biochemist), ECT which I continuously said I no longer wanted after about 2 sessions (even though I did consent at the beginning) but was continuously pressured into it and also told by one of the nursing staff condescendingly that I “have to grow up and be a big girl”.nursing staff that just simply shouldn’t be allowed to practice in mental health- or at all!, and finally my treating psychiatrist there who I believed had my best interest at heart, but put me in the most vulnerable, demeaning and awful experience. I hit rock bottom from being in this place, but a year later I am the strongest I've been and grateful that I have finally broken the cycle of seeing mental health "professionals" and I am finally out of the pathetic, money hungry, revolving door, mental health "treatment" system. I thank this hospital for finally providing the light. I'm now travelling, working, studying at uni, and living the most healthy lifestyle i ever have, and almost medication free (after being put on a ridiculously big amount in this place) after 10 years! Was strongly advised to make an Offical Complaint against this hospital (funnily enough by one of their own staff members), but was too emotionally drained/ traumatised to go through with it. I highly recommend exercising, eating well, and turning towards family and/or friends rather than letting these guys drain you of your money, dignity, and rights. I can not emphasise how much I DO NOT recommend this hospital.

Some great things - dr raj m
The fact there is an emotional dysregulstion group - the therapists there, especially mary goslett is amazing.
Not so great : some of the nurses don't understand. The aren't enough staff on board because of you're panicking they make u wait. Also the beds are hideous. Like very small hospital beds that have very thin f foam mattresses on a metal slate. I have back problems in plus size and it was hideous. I kept panicking and dissociating and was in extreme pain. Im fine on normal single beds

The needs

I found this hospital fantastic. I have the utmost respect for my fellow mental health sufferers (it is a long and hard battle for many of us) and their opinions, but this place to me really respected people suffering from mental illness in terms of what they were willing to put into programs and facilities (time and money-wise) and a general atmosphere of true care. I even had a cleaner whose second language was English, but who would say my name and clap her hands in delight whenever she saw me! To me that is a great example of how the values from the top pervade the whole hospital. As I say, I do respect the opinions of others, but having experienced St John of God Burwood I would perish the thought that based on a couple of reviews (in amongst all the good ones) anyone would not experience this wonderful and holistic place.

This hospital has very good food and a flexible leave system. The Psychatrist are very professional as well. I found the GP to be very abrasive but got on ok. The therapist with glasses was really annoying and monotone and was like a nazi to get one to goto a group which was discouraging for me. But overall this is really the best place for someone who is suffering with life's difficulties when they all get too much.

Called to admit my father who suffers from alcoholism, depression and most likely other mental ailments as well as a wide array of physical ailments. A woman (I think her name was Karen) did an "assessment" over the phone and asked my father - who does not fully accept that he has a problem with alcohol - whether he has mental issues. He replied not yet and she said that they could not take him in because he is not mentally unwell. So thank you so much St John of God for helping us get through this extremely difficult and trying time.

Wish I could give 0

I was admitted myself to help come off back pain medication. I was only there for 8 hrs in that time I felt like I was a prisoner in a minimum security prison being able to walk around but that's it. I tried to ask questions but was repeatedly told to wait, then they changed staff still no visit from "my doctor" their after 6 hrs so I asked to go leave. They tried to sell me on the place but it was rubbish for a private facility anyone could walk in your room. They also took all my electricals, shaver's, perfume, nothing but my cloths and a book. When I was trying to leave they were still persisting on me staying there and telling me I need my blood checked because I could have HIV because of how white I was.. my mother was there and immediately told the lady I don't go out much and have had pale skin ever since I was a child. I found a couple of nurses to be very disrespectful of anyone there and there beliefs against the hospital.

PS. They gave me back someone else's medication when I left and I had to go back and get my right medication which was short a strip from when I left it with them. They also didn't give me my perfume or shaver and spare heads. When collecting them a few days later I got my perfume back but I got someone else's shaver? It wasn't mine but in the bag with my belongings? I'm not sure how organised this place is but only 8 hours there and I will tell you some of the nurses are worse then anything I've ever experienced. So much for the best money can buy!

what a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 15 minutes on phone listening to message. This is not good enough for a private hospital where patients pay lots of money. Service appalling. Hope they treat their patients better than the staff on the phones. Would hate to have an emergency trying to get through. I am absolutely flabbergasted that it's now 20 minutes on hold.

After years of failed treatment in the public sector, I was finally able to make progress here at St John of God Hospital, Burwood, with the assistance of Dr Taylor & Dr Hansen. Thank you to both of these most helpful Doctors, and I wish them a safe & happy retirement, and I look forward to continuing treatment with Dr. Koziol. God Bless all the staff for their continued support!

Best hospital in the world. Every single employe is there to assist you on your road to recovery and discharge date.

This is most probably the best psychiatric facility in all of Australia (I myself travelled from interstate to go there.) The facilities are amazing - an array of buildings on spacious grounds all linked by internal walkways - coffee shop on site, mostly single rooms, the largest dining room I've ever seen in a clinic and fantastic food. The extensive programs run by knowledgable and sympathetic staff, optional extra activities such as craft room and excursions, genuine and interested pastoral care (if you want it) - I could go on and on... And if you have a problem the Director of Nursing ( the wonderful Cindy) turns up in person to your room with a warm and sympathetic smile and fixes it! She is constantly moving through the hospital checking all is well and the place runs like clockwork!