Smith + Singleton

I came many times to this Hospital but this time is the worst and headache. First I couldn’t find parking spaces and second a long line for registration and next we went to the x-ray section their was crowded that keep us waited for almost an hour. And after this I go a ticket 🎟 for child at 10:300am to see the doctor until 1:30pm. I asked from the Clinic A1 again that why our turn is not coming. She check the computer that our number wasn’t sent to doctors. She printed another ticket to see a doctor. We arrived at 9:30 am and now it is 3:00 pm. Still we are waiting to meet doctor. It is really really headache and worse and waste of time. Unbelievable

We are so blessed in Melbourne to have one of the best children’s hospitals in the world. All the staff, Doctors and nurses, are so caring, wise and professional, I could not have asked for better care for my son. Everyone has so much compassion, and lightheartedness, they really help to make it the best possible experience for both the children and the carers, out of what is usually, unfortunately, a very bad experience. Your well observed efforts are always appreciated and will never be forgotten. Update; have not had to go there for a while, but I still only hear good things about the Royal Children’s hospital, keep up the great work, parents in Melbourne love you.

Overall, I'm happy with the hospital. Wait time is ridiculously long (like years of waiting long) and sometimes it shouldn't be. What i have realized as going to the hospital for many long years now is that they priorities the wrong kids, even tho ALL kids are important. The staff are so lovely and kind, they surprisingly answer phone calls fairly quickly then alot of other places. The way they follow COVID restrictions and engage with kids is really good. The hospital facilities are really kid friendly, the shops are heavily over priced but nice to walk around if you have young kids. There's cafes, restaurants, really cute wall art that makes kids forget all their problems and huge artifacts and statues, its honestly a really nice environment for kids to be around considering all the issues and health problems they go through. Personally, i did dermatology laser, and the receptionist is so sweet and I always book with the same guy, he is so lovely and so sweet and comfortable to be around, compared to other doctors i have been booked with previously. I see huge change in my face thanks to him.

Wait times over 4 or 5 hours. My kid was struggling to breathe and gasping but staff claimed there was nothing wrong with her. Needless to say we ended up leaving feeling like we were not taken seriously or listened to. We went to our GP and had follow up diagnostics (x-ray) and found she had severe bronchitis among other issues. The fact neither the nurses or doctor considered listening to me when I said I think it’s bronchitis or asthma (daughter also has severe allergies).... It’s understandable there’s staffing issues but that wasn’t the case when you just aren’t being listened to. Not sure if Ryan’s Rule applies in Victoria but it’s in Qld and should be brought into these situations or else suffer the consequences of medical negligence. Would go to any other hospital instead of here if you have an emergency. 4 people at the front making people wear masks but the second they’re in the hospital they have them off. Staff just chatting and doing nothing but telling you to sanitise hands and wear a mask. Waste of staff that need to be used actually diagnosing and treating. Absolute joke of a system.

I’ve read all these reviews and the only response they seem to provide is “When a patient comes through Emergency they are assessed based on the urgency of their condition. The most seriously injured or sickest children are seen first. This means the wait can be anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. No-one's treatment can be rushed, so we ask you to please be patient.” Why not provide an actual response to people expressing concerns? Yes, I get it’s based on emergency status, but parents are clearly coming here for answers and you’re not providing them. You’re a CHILDRENS HOSPITAL, and expecting children, babies and parents to wait for hours on end is absurd. I took my 10 month old on Saturday night who was suffering from covid. I’ve never had to take my children to emergency so to say it was a scary experience is putting it mild. I thought it would be supportive and reassuring. My baby had a fever of 39.7, a very high heart rate and started to get the shakes on arrival. The nurse told me that I would have to wait in a private room as we both tested positive for covid, for the doctor. I asked if they knew roughly how long as it was 11pm at night and my baby hadn’t slept for hours and was very sick. She said that at the moment it’s up to a 5 hour wait. I’m sorry, BUT a 5 hour wait for an exhausted 10 month old, struggling to breathe, high fever, high heart rate, scared mother?? Unacceptable. I was left alone in a room for 2 + hours until I had to press to buzzer and ask for them to check my baby as no one had come back. I eventually discharged myself by 2am as my son was overwhelmed and clearly no one cared to update me on what was going on. I understand the hospital system is under pressure, we all understand that after the last few years, but that is a joke. Where is the care for the sick children? The concern for the worried parents? It’s a broken system that needs to be fixed.

Last week I had a scare and had to rush to ED@Royal Childrens as my 20 month old daughter was not feeling well. Turns out that she had two infections in her tummy. Since then she’s been on 3 day and a 10 day antibiotic course. The service that I received from Royal Childrens Hospital in Melbourne is excellent. Dr. Kathrine Chen and the staff were friendly and ensured that I am properly informed about my child’s health and care. I would have no qualms in recommending them to family and friends, especially Dr KC. Once my daughter was discharged we had a follow up video discussion two days later. Dr Chen explained everything in a very clear and easy to understand manner after asking some questions and taking a look at our daughter. I am relieved that my daughter is on the mend now.

If ever a place deserves five stars the Royal Children's does. The staff we've met have been almost invariably caring, empathic, and enormously competent. We've had some long waits to be seen, but that's more a function of poor funding and staff shortages. Glad to have you nearby, and thank you to all of you there.