Athol Memorial Hospital: Emergency Room

"I feel lucky. Our experience here tonight was good. It was our first time here since they did updates. The people taking care of us were lovely and we didn't wait long at all even though there were other people there. I hope the next time we have to go is a similar experience. Update- still very good! Better than my kids doctors office. Thank you!"

"My daughter is in extreme pain when she swallows ANYTHING her chest and esophagus hurt. She WENT TO a different ER, they didn't listen to her, she is not nauseous she is in pain yet they sent her home with anti nausea meds and cough meds. They did an xray and EKG, I asked if they scoped her throat she said they didn't even look at it. I called to see if she can go back and be seen they said she has to wait again and they don't do scopes there. I called Cooley to see if they still do (I had one done in the ER years ago), you can't speak to anyone there. I called Athol, the woman was adamant that they couldn't give medical advice. I stated numerous times I am aware of that I want to know if they are capable of doing a certain diagnostic test. She refused to let me speak to a nurse because they are going to tell me the same thing. They want me to do what I think is best. What I think is best is being seen at a capable ER where they can do something to help her. I am not looking to drive an hour out there, sit for hours only to be told they can't help her there. She put me on hold and came back and said the dr said they can't give medical advice. I said I completely understand, that is not what I am asking. I am asking if that is something they offer. No different than asking if they offer xrays. SHE HUNG UP ON ME. I am trying to help my kid who is extremely hungry but is in tears seconds after she swallows. What am I supposed to do. To not be listened too and hung up on is completely unacceptable."

"My nurse Emma was fantastic, kind and caring. The Doctor Cooper that was in the ER had the bedside manner of a rock. I went to the hospital for severe abdominal pain that was causing tremors, thought I had a cyst, she pushed on my side and made me yelp! Took me for an ultrasound expecting to find the issue, but nope, the scans were clean. When I started to cry asking her why I was in pain and what do I do now, she threw up her hands and said "I don't know" and left. Next thing I know I have discharge papers given to me and sent home. Thanks alot."

"I came here from Baystate after I broke my wrist and explained to the woman at the desk that Baystate did not discharge me properly (gave me no paperwork, no pain meds, no referrals, and did my splint way too tight but still said I should go somewhere else due to high volume). The woman at the desk at Athol told me there was nothing they could do for me. A doctor overheard the conversation and looked at my arm from a distance and said “oh it looks like they wrapped it pretty good,” even though my fingers were going numb because of how tight it was. The woman very rudely told me that I needed to make an appointment at heywood orthopedics and gave me the number, sending me on my way. The ER was completely empty and there was no reason that they couldn’t help me. BUT I tried to make an appointment, like the woman at the desk instructed and I was told I couldn’t make an appointment because I was not seen at a heywood emergency room. I tried to explain that they wouldn’t let me be seen at the Athol location and the person told me I still needed a referral. I ended up driving to the Gardner location and explaining what happened and finally someone helped me, but by the time I got there I was basically in tears."

"Low grade medical care. Probably wouldn’t want to bring my sick cat here, let alone a sock human. Put people who report they think they have COVID in the same waiting area as a patient waiting with high blood sugar and nausea and their loved one. Don’t tell us to move then when it’s time to go back say that the visitor can’t go back because nausea is a symptom of COVID. This place is one of the biggest jokes in central Massachusetts. If I get COVID from being sat next to a guy who claims he has it because their receptionists can’t or won’t enforce their policies, I’ll make sure they pay my medical bills. Please save yourself from their incompetence and go to Leominster or go West to Bay State. Both are FAR better than the vet clinic we have in Athol."