Women’s College Hospital

I wasted so much time seeing so many other doctors who never could figure out what was wrong with me.
After switching family doctors to a great one, I asked to be referred to WCH. Best choice I ever made.
The staff here are very knowledgeable, friendly and understanding. The building is beautiful and clean. I am always very worried when I go in for appointments, but I always leave very happy. I used to leave appointments elsewhere and cry all the way home because I’d always be left with «wait and see» type answers. Here, they have a PLAN. They want to FIX you, not just make you go away.
5 stars for this lovely facility.

I was so very happy to be in this place, it is so beautiful and modern, hahaha some if the lay out is weird but super nice, I came to have my iud removed, and the whole experience was just amazing and so easy! I didnt have to wait hours, and my doctor Sara Taman was the most amazing warm and caring woman.
She made me feel so good, I was super nervious since my past experience with the gino, but she made it all better.
I love this place and I love my doctor !

The new building is great, especially compared to the old one, and the new building is only in its first phase.
Being new it is much for accessible than older hospitals including washrooms, although it is weird that the design has half a flight of stairs at the front door requiring an elevator to get to the main lobby for those who can’t do stairs.
I am sure it varies from doctor to doctor but anytime I have been to WCH I haven’t waited longer than 10 minutes, where at other hospitals like St Mike’s and Sunnybrook I have waited more than 30 minutes past the scheduled appointment time but again, that might have more to do with certain specialists being busier than others.
I do find the staff and volunteers friendlier than most.

A nice and modern health care facility.
Refreshing and courteous staff (the ones I’ve encountered).
Hopefully you don’t need the hospital, not a bad one if you do!

I would like to start off by saying that my review is based on the Department of Medical Imaging and not the hospital as a whole.
I am currently undergoing chemotherapy, my specialist referred me to WCH for a diagnostic mammogram and another ultrasound as a lump was detected in recent tests (by surprise as this is not the reason for the chemotherapy) as well as a potential biopsy and it was indicated as RUSH on the referral based on my current medical condition. It was sent via fax and confirmed via faxed confirmation which my specialist gave me a copy of both the actual fax confirmation and the referral. As my specialist knows I keep copies of everything on file of my medical treatments as my husband is also a specialist.
WCH «misplaced» the first referral so I faxed it a 2^nd time myself. WCH still could not find the 2^nd referral that was faxed and 3 days later it was faxed again, the third time by my specialist to the frustration of me and the specialist. Finally the WCH receptionist/​administrative assistant found it.
I am not sure if the receptionist/​admin was having a bad day, on medication or perhaps should be on medication but she was totalled spaced out I had to repeat everything several times to her. Then she put me on hold (5 minutes) then I came off hold and asked me to repeat everything all over again. Then she said let me see where I put that referral again, okay what is your first name? What is your last name? What is your first name again? I see it is for your annual mammogram I said it no annual it’s diagnostic… and I also need an ultrasound I said everything is on the referral with detailed notes and a diagram of where the lump is. What is your first name and last name again? I am already stressed out, already on chemotherapy and I almost lost it, I asked to speak to someone else. She would not let me speak to another colleague and then she lashed out at me saying you sound frustrated dear, what is your problem! She booked my appointment 6 weeks in advance. I said my doctor wants it ASAP, I am already on chemotherapy, and she said that is the earliest I can fit you in! With a condescending tone, I did not want to continue dealing with her so hung out and I contacted my specialist immediately to let them know and they could not fit me in for 6 weeks and the demeanor of the receptionist at WCH. My specialist could not believe it and called back WCH and received the same attitude. So I requested to be switched to another hospital that is more competent and someone who is empathetic with patient-​centered care skill sets.
This may be a good hospital, but if you have an atypical meningioma, I recommend Toronto Western and for diagnostic mammograms/​ultrasounds I would go to Sunnybrook. Going forward, I would prefer my not to be referred to WCH and made it noted in my files with all of my doctors.

I came here for my IUD a couple years ago and went with my friend when she got hers last week. It isn’t as personalized an experience as smaller clinics, but the professionalism and graciousness of the staff make up for it.
The nurses and doctors here are ridiculously well-​informed and I feel safer knowing that they do these kinds of procedures many times a day. They make the process as efficient and painless as possible. They will answer all questions that you have patiently and without condescension.
Just beware — if your appointment is at the same time the clinic opens, they may not be open when you arrive. Also, the secretary will at times leave the desk for prolonged periods of time and then you won’t be able to get into the second waiting room. Also, they are serious about the no cellphone rule. Any talking on the phone and they can turn mean quick. Yet somehow, texting and playing games on the cell are a-​okay.

Planning a trip to the hospital isn’t part of people’s weekend plans but life happens and sometimes, you have to.
It wasn’t my plan to visit the Urgent Care Clinic at Women’s College Hospital last night but I had to.
Firstly, I’m fine. Well, sort of. I’ve been better… It’s a long story but luckily, I was able to leave the clinic after a few hours and I slept in my own bed that night.
The Urgent Care Clinic is open from 7am to 10pm, 7 days a week. I was lucky that on a Sunday evening, it wasn’t very busy. This meant I was able to see a doctor quickly.
Visiting a hospital alone or even with a friend can be a worrisome experience. But you have nothing to fear as you’ll be taken care of.
Here’s what happens: you go the reception desk, present your valid health card and fill out a form. You meet with a nurse in triage where they will listen to your health problem, check your blood pressure, and take notes for the doctor. Then you have to wait in the waiting room before you’re called into the emergency unit. Depending on how busy the clinic is, you might wait a few minutes or few hours.
You’re given a folder, your folder, and you’re asked to enter the emergency unit where you have to sit and wait for your turn to see a doctor.
You’re taken to a room where the doctor will check your symptoms, listen to your health issues and run a series of tests, like blood work or X-​rays. Again, it depends on how busy things are when you visit. I was able to complete my tests quickly and meet with the doctor afterwards to discuss the next steps.
All of the units, waiting rooms, corridors, even washrooms, are impeccably clean and organized. Everyone, the receptionist, doctors and nurses, are incredibly nice, knowledgeable, caring and patient. These people work very hard — my nurse was wrapping up a 12-​hours shift — so please, remember that they are there to help you.
If you live downtown and you have acute symptoms — if it’s urgent, you know that 3-​digit number to call — I strongly recommend the Urgent Care Clinic at Women’s College Hospital. It’s there for us and for our well-​being should we need them in the future.
But here’s hoping you won’t have to.

As an update to Ryan’s review. Women’s College Hospital has now officially split from Sunnybrook Health Science’s Centre.
So any new babies born will be at Sunnybrook. Reason for this is there are no inpatient beds at Women’s Colle

OK, it was 2:00am on Sunday morning and my wife went into labour. We made it to the hospital after driving 10km’s an hour in a snow storm and as soon as we got there they immediately ushered us into a room and provided medical attention to my wife. Everyone there was so friendly, helpful and more importantly, patient and spoke in «plain English» that we could not believe that we were in a hospital. Anyone that has ever waited 5 yrs in emergency will know where I am coming from.
If anyone out there is wondering where to have a child, I strongly suggest this hospital, everyone there is great, friendly and most of all make the labour experience as pleasant as possible.
PS — For all the women out there, I thought I had a high pain threshold… Good God NO! It doesn’t come even close to what you experience during labour.