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Hysterectomy

Posted By Unimpressed Woman

"Hysterectomy"

About: Royal Hospital for Women / Gynaecology Services Division Royal Hospital for Women / Macquarie Ward

(as the patient),

I had a negative experience at Randwick Royal Women’s for my hysterectomy.  There was some confusion with my surgery slot and I ended up having an anaesthetist and surgeon that I hadn’t met before. I felt that the anaesthetist was so unfriendly. I had previously been on GLP-1 and had a 24 hour fast beforehand. When the anaesthetist asked about medications I told them that I had been on a GLP-1. I recall they then remarked to someone else, “I bet she didn’t even fast.” I felt that is so unprofessional and gave me zero confidence in going under. 

The afternoon and overnight nurses I had immediately post surgery were lovely and attentive. But I felt that the morning nurse I had who was meant to be monitoring my dressings and urination acted like I was a burden. I had raw blisters on my skin as though tape had been ripped off my skin too fast. The nurse was  seemingly completely disinterested in how sore and weepy they were. I recall they told me at approximately 8am that they would be looked at when my dressings were changed (which were weeping). My dressings wouldn’t get looked at or changed until 5pm. 

I called this nurse that morning when I was ready to stand up and do my first urination after the catheter had been removed. I recall they told me I didn’t need them there and I felt they acted like I did the wrong thing by calling. I then took it upon myself to monitor my urine collection via photos to have proof. I knew that being discharged depended on the volume of urine and I wasn’t going to let this ruin my recovery. 

Other notes are that my breakfast tray and lunch tray were never collected and were still on my table when I was discharged shortly after 5pm. 

This hospital would never have been my first choice as I had to travel an hour and a half to get there. I feel like all of my choices and bodily autonomy were taken away from me. 

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Responses

Response from Maria Fenn, Nursing Co-director, Gynaecology Services Division, Royal Hospital for Women 2 weeks ago
Maria Fenn
Nursing Co-director, Gynaecology Services Division,
Royal Hospital for Women

Submitted on 24/02/2026 at 8:20 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia on 25/02/2026 at 10:12 AM

Dear Unimpressed Woman,

Thank you for taking the time to post your review particularly after undergoing recent major surgery. I am very sorry to hear that you did not have a positive experience with some aspects of your care provided by the Royal Hospital For Women, Randwick.

It is very disappointing to hear that you did not have a good interaction with your anaesthetist and that you did not feel confident whilst in their care. We have a high expectation that all staff should communicate and behave professionally, respectfully and empathetically towards all patients, and this is important because we understand that our patients need to be able to build trust and have confidence with their treating team and with the hospital. I apologise and am sorry that you did not receive respectful care.

Thank you for acknowledging your post-surgery afternoon and overnight nurses, it's pleasing to hear that you found them lovely and attentive. I'm sorry that you did not have a good experience with the morning nurse and that you did not have the same attentive care with regards to monitoring your wound dressings and urination and you were made to feel like a burden or had done the wrong thing. We expect all our nursing staff to provide exceptional person-centred care that is safe, high quality and compassionate, and I am very sorry that you did not experience this level of care. I also apologise that your meal trays were not removed after you had finished your meals in a timely manner.

I would like to acknowledge that this hospital was not your preferred choice due to your travel distance and I would like to thank you for your feedback which is important to us and allows us to reflect and improve our services. I would like to offer you the opportunity if you wish to discuss your experience further by contacting the Royal Hospital For Women - Patient Feedback on Tel: (02) 93826849.

I wish you all the very best in your ongoing recovery and future wellness.

Your sincerely,

Maria Fenn

Nursing Co-Director Women's Health and Gynaecological Services

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