"Sutherland Hospital Emergency Department"

My wife and I have lived in the Sutherland Shire for a few decades and have not needed to attend the ED at Sutherland Hospital in all that time ... until this month (February 2021) when we have been twice.

Firstly, my wife with an umbilical hernia and then myself with breathing difficulties and chest pain. However, we have both recovered and full marks to all the staff at the ED. They were all very competent, caring, helpful, professional and friendly.

In my case, on arrival at ED as a "walk-in" not long after midnight, I was seen immediately and was in a bed with instruments attached and blood taken within a couple of minutes. X-ray was taken a few hours later and further blood and urine tests about an hour after that - and all results back by early morning, allowing me to be discharged. All this on a Sunday morning.

We saw what the staff have to put up with - I believe some drunk/aggressive people turned up about an hour before I was discharged but the medical and security staff dealt with it quickly. I heard one of the nurses telling another patient that she works 3 X 12-hour shifts a week - and, from what I saw, the staff really do work hard yet remain composed and friendly. We are so lucky to be close to such a facility.