Canberra Hospital - Garran, Australian Capital Territory

Peace ?. L.

The situation at Canberra’s public hospital emergency departments is deeply concerning.

While we fully acknowledge how hard the medical staff are working, this goes far beyond being simply “busy.” The system itself is fundamentally inefficient and broken.

Waiting 4 to 6 hours just to get an X-ray, followed by another 1 to 2 hours to see a doctor, is not acceptable in any modern healthcare setting.

This is a structural failure — and one that requires urgent, systemic reform at the government level.

People are coming to the emergency room for help, and often leave feeling worse — not because of the care, but because of the wait.

Nazia K.

As a first-time mom, I had a wonderful experience at Canberra Hospital in Garran. The staff, especially the midwives and nurses, were absolutely amazing, very caring and supportive. We stayed two nights after delivery, and the service was outstanding. Our baby received the utmost care and attention from all staff. Highly recommended

Kaniz C.

On Tuesday, 29th April, we had our first appointment with Dr. Timothy West at the Allergy and Immunology Clinic at Canberra Hospital for our thirteen-year-old's skin prick test. The outstanding care provided by Dr. Timothy West during our recent visit to the Allergy is exceptional and expertise paired with genuine compassion, Dr. West truly stands out as a leader in the field of Allergy and Immunology.

From the outset, Dr. West demonstrated exceptional professionalism, clinical expertise, and a reassuringly compassionate approach. His ability to communicate clearly and empathetically made.
He conducted twenty-two skin prick tests in a single session, understanding that our son has a highly restricted diet and can eat only a few foods. Such compassion is truly rare.

Dr. West brings an extraordinary level of knowledge and experience, paired with a rare dedication to patient well-being.
The next morning, I received a call from the allergy clinic to schedule an oral food challenge for our son on an urgent basis and he is already booked in for July to conduct that test as thats the earliest one available.

Doctors like Dr. West can truly create new opportunities and hope for patients with severe allergies. As I can completely imagine how difficult and frustrating the long wait can be for parents of a child with anaphylaxis.

Nearly ten years ago, I also left a five-star review for Professor Katrina Randal, another exceptionally talented immunologist, whose exceptional knowledge, dedication, and compassion for patient care were truly remarkable. Thanks to her expertise in the field of allergy, my son is able to eat the foods he does today. Although she has since relocated and now treats only adult patients, her legacy of dedication still resonates throughout the hospital.

Silly Q.

To the Staff at Canberra Hospital,

I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved in the care of my uncle during his recent admission. From the moment he arrived, he was seen quickly and efficiently, and was moved up to the Acute Ward where multiple tests and scans were performed. Thanks to the thorough work of the medical team, the issue was quickly identified and surgery was promptly scheduled for the following day.

Unfortunately, the news was not what we had hoped for, and the surgery could not go ahead. Despite being told he has limited time left, my uncle has repeatedly shared how much he appreciated his stay at Canberra Hospital. In particular, he has not stopped talking about one very special staff member—Dominic, the wardsman.

Dominic truly brightened my uncle’s days. He made him laugh, listened with genuine compassion, and brought a sense of value and hope during a very difficult time. Dominic’s kindness and positivity left such a strong impression that my uncle admitted to feeling disappointed when someone else came instead—he was always hoping to see Dominic again.

Dominic, thank you. You are a bright star. Please keep doing what you’re doing—making people smile and feel cared for. You are a beautiful person, and your presence made a world of difference to my uncle.

Kevin E.

My father (Trevor) was in the ICU for about 2 weeks. The staff were incredibly. So professional, so patient and so nice. The care the doctors, nurses, wardsman, cooks and cleaners provided dad will never be forgotten. Thank you.

Jaguar

I presented with a serious medical condition to a very busy waiting room and the lady on the first desk could not have been kinder or helpful. I was directed to the next desk and the lady there calmed me down. I was immediately moved to a private area and the nurse on duty was again helpful and reassuring. She assured me i would be seen quickly by a doctor and before she finished saying it, one appeared. He was again friendly and reassuring as he assessed my situation, and what he wanted to do next.
Every staff member that came to see me on what was obviously a very busy emergency ward could not have been more kinder or helpful. I still need some fixing but as i left the same lady on the front desk took time out of her day to stop me and say, "you look a lot better than when you came in" I can't thank the staff enough. Yes people wait but there are life threatening situations they prioritise and move up the queue. I can't thank the staff enough. The male nurse who made me eat my dinner and said i am going to sit here until you do it deserves a special mention, as does the young lad who took me down for x-rays. He treated me like a mate and worked out i was scared. He was another that kept popping his head round the curtain and asking if if i needed anything. It is a overworked department maybe but they know what there doing. If you have a broken fingernail or a non life threatening injury though , your going to wait. Comparing it to a third world African country is just ridiculous. You need immediate medical intervention, they can and do provide it. But they decide who needs what and when, because that's what there trained to do.

Jenna A.

Going in with chest pains was incredibly nerve-wracking, but I was blown away by how smooth and organised everything was. The staff were so kind and attentive, and the entire process - from testing to updates - was seamless. I was truly impressed by both the team and the facilities. This experience has completely restored my faith in the Australian healthcare system. I’ve visited other hospitals around the country, and none compare to this one.

Muhammad N. N.

I recently had to visit Canberra Hospital for a thumb surgery, and my experience exceeded expectations.The staff was attentive, compassionate, and professional. The check-in process was smooth and efficient, and despite a busy schedule, they made me feel like a priority.
The facility was clean, well-organized, and equipped with advanced technology. Overall, Canberra Hospital demonstrated excellent care and attention to detail. I felt genuinely cared for throughout my stay, and I’m grateful to have such a dependable facility in our community. I would highly recommend it to anyone in need of medical