Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital

From the saccharine welcome to the wait in pre op, fake, forced attitudes and misery of overworked and understaffed personnel was the theme. They rely on temporary hires, who are not invested in the community or the hospital. I received basic, clumsy care and was profiled for dating and housing by a predatory male nurse on my personal medical files. When I complained I was scolded and ghosted by the management and patient quality control personnel.. When I went for mandatory follow up care, I was late due to traffic and was scolded and lectured by a doctor. Terrible management and retention of quality staff. Frightening experience…

1st snow of the holiday season. 11/27/21.

This a horrible place to go! I would rather drive hours then ever come to this place again! Warning ⚠️ . Eastern Maine medical center is the way to go. NEVER AGAIN SO Inconsiderate! By far the Worst very dissatisfied and Disappointed!

The team at Ellsworth NL Maine Coast Hospital caring for my son in the last week of his life were exceptional, the doctors, nurses, assistants…all the staff were professional, kind and caring. Everything was about his comfort, always asking him or advising of each step. While much of the time he could not respond, I found this very respectful. All this made a very sad situation easier for me and I thank each and every one from the bottom of my ? heart.

Wish i could give -5 stars. DONT EVER GO HERE!. I went for a serious issue that im having and no one else will take the time to figure it out. On insurance and everything. Told i need an iv and that il get something to help with pain. 4 hours later, still have nothing for the pain and was never given an iv. When the doctor came in the first time i was telling him all my symptoms and cut me off and said well ill check your spleen and well get it figured out. 4.5 hours lter still havent seen him until i was being discharged and refused a test when i asked for one for confirmation

If it's an emergency, I wouldn't come here, but the people that work here are super friendly. The four stars are for the nurse Dwight, actually, he deserves 5 but I took one away because I was here so long. Dwight was just walking by my room that I was hanging my head out of because no one had spoken to me, I didn't know who my nurse was, there was no call light, and I didn't know who my doctor was.i was feeling pretty bad and my dog was stuck out in the car. Anyway, Dwight wasn't assigned to me, but he took care of me anyway.

Called THREE days ago to check on my mother. Was assured the nurse would call me back... he/she has not. Called four hours ago, expressed my displeasure and experience with not being called back--and still trying to check on Mom. Crickets. No phone call back. One star for keeping her alive... at least, I think she is. It's not as if this is a huge hospital at all. Not sure I get this kind of egregious ignoring of a concerned family member.

I went into the ER, stayed in the ER for about 4-5 hours (mostly due to wait time) and got treated in the ER. I left out the ER doors. I am now getting billed as a hospital stay instead of an ER visit so I get to fight everyone from hospital billing to insurance company to try and get this fixed. As usual, its almost impossible to speak to someone at NL about the billing. While in the ER room they came to discharge me without the medication and IV I was suppose to get. I had to remind them of what the dr said. So clearly the nurses didn't check the paperwork before trying to send me home. In addition to that my blood was taken and was told my PCP would get the results. I called my dr multiple times and they finally said I needed to call the ER because they had no records of bloodwork ever processed. Called the ER TWICE before I finally got someone who could help me. The ER LOST MY BLOOD!! LOST MY BLOOD! How does an ER lose blood? No blood, no bloodwork done, no clue how they lost my blood or where it went to. I was told I need to go back to the ER for more bloodwork. No thanks- would rather be sick than deal with all this again.

Just came back from there nurse kept calling me a liar pretty much my finger is infected kind of hard to get help if you don't feel confident in a nurse it's calling you a liar considering you just got lied to by the receptionist that they weren't that busy and no one came off the ambulance even though someone did come off the ambulance cuz their wife came in while I was sitting down waiting but yeah I still waited to see the nurse that wanted to call me a liar considering they lied to me as soon as I came in not feeling very confident in this place just wanted help with my finger I guess I got to wait until Monday till my doctor comes in.....

Best lot of doctors and nurses that I have seen in a long time Thank you.

Total joke they need much better staff and doctors who can actually speak clear english when it comes to your health that is extremely important!! If you can go to bangor or even blue hill they will send you to another hospital who will hopefully have respectful nurses who don't talk about people in the emergency room or play on their phones!!! A wrong diagnose almost killed me Thankfully I knew it was worse so I went to blue hill and they sent me to bangor they saved me thanks for nothing ellsworth won't be back!!

If I could give negative stars I would. First off my kids have been patients at MCMH pediatrics from 2004 til present day, never ever have we been treated this way.. We were sent to ER from walk in care. Husbands presenting with chest pain and shortness of breath, as soon as we walked through the door we noticed there must have been 15 people in waiting room so we were talking amongst ourselves. We stood at reception where Ann B was sitting at desk. No greeting, nothing, just" I cant tell you how long wait will be", which we never even asked, nor did she ask what we needed. When I started to tell her that we were sent there by walk in care, she rudely and loudly turned to me, cut me off mid sentence and said. I CANT TELL YOU HOW LONG THE WAIT WILL BE...I said, well first of all ANN B, I didn't ask you that and second of all, don't you think you should ask someone what there Emergency is before you rudely respond to them. I seriously could not believe this woman..I get if you are busy and you may be stressed...but we are at the ER, obviously we are more stressed than you are sitting at your desk. We have an EMERGENCY...Please have the common decency/courtesy to ask someone what symptoms they have, you never know if someone may be having heart attach !!.IWe went to convenient md down the road where they took him in and immediately did an EKG...Thank you convenient MD for saving my husbands life. Thanks ANN B for not giving a s*** about the peoples lives you hold in your hand. First point of contact should not be that woman, please review your security footage to see how patients are being treated by this woman! We were there at about 5pm on 7/27/21..Thanks Northern Light,...

First one there then watched everyone go ahead of me got mad and left. Ill never return. Best to go anywhere else.

Doctors (not all but couple doctors we dealt with right after giving birth) do not communicate with you in regards to what is going on. I would love to speak to someone in management who truly cares about the patients. I would rather go to Bangor (although its far for me) next time. Not a right hospital to give birth and trust the staff with your newborn. **Update: Called the number provided in the reply. It isn't a direct number to speak to someone. Left VM for Quality Specialist as my call was transferred to her VM. Also, yesterday I was informed by the pediatricians office that an office manager will call me but still haven't heard anything **

I was in visiting with my son from 10 am to 5 pm today and not one nurse came in and asked if he was comfortable or if he needed anything...plenty of them working

I've read some of the 1 star reviews on here, but I can tell you my experience was 5 stars and it was the best and most efficient hospital experience I have ever had in my life. I'm visiting from Philadelphia and developed acute appendicitis after being in Maine for 2 days. The staff at Northern Light were extremely responsive, respectful and receptive. I was literally in and out in 3.5 hours and that's including surgery to remove my appendix; these people are the best! I was skeptical about getting care from a small town hospital, coming from a big city, but the staff were above and beyond exceptional in their skills! Thank you to all the staff who helped me! I don't remember everyone's name , but BIG SHOUT to my ER nurse Christina who initially helped me!

Was horrible experience overall for my fiance. He was treated poorly esp after having emergency surgery. So I would prefer Bangor or anywhere else to go. They wouldn't even give him pain medications due to being a recovering addict. Only once after the surgery & while in there This one nurse went thru his stuff. Idk if that's allowed or what, but she did. They wouldn't give him his daily meds either. His diabetic. Also he was missing $$$ from his wallet. Normally i don't post on these things but this hospital is horrible & treat people horrible as well. I was greeted very friendly either.

My daughter was brought in for seizures. She was seen by Wendelin Witt, MD. They did nothing to stabilize her and released her still having seizures. Her blood work on her discharge papers showed signs of infection. I have visited this emergency room on many occasions and always had a good experience and quality care. I am so disappointed.

strange that bad reviews keep disappearing...

Came in and was absolutely disrespected on every level. Between the Doctor “Manny” being pushy with medical treatments I refused and the nurse “molly” saying “Jesus f’ing Christ” as she walked out of the room when we decided to refuse medical care and leave since it clearly wasn’t working there. I am APPALLED. Drive to Bangor!!! Avoid at all costs!!!

We came to this hospital last night in the hopes that we would get treatment for my partners asthma. When we arrived the front desk attendant was average and the nurse that we had was far below. Firstly I am not sure how this nurse is still employed there I believe her name is Marge. Absolutely terrible nurse as far as I am concerned, if she had spent half as much time doing her job as she did criticizing her patients she would probably be a decent nurse. Now granted we have been there often because of his asthma issues but here’s my problem. When someone goes into a hospital to be treated firstly they charge an ungodly amount of money to treat you so you would think you would get at least average care. This hospital is probably the worst one I have ever seen as far as patient relations. They were not friendly what so ever and I had to argue with the doctor to even get him any medications that he needs. We needed breathing meds for him, we aren’t junkies looking for pills we just needed help. It was so appalling to see the way they treated him. The doctor came in and says what’s wrong with you now like that’s not ok and then says I can’t prescribe you medications you need your primary doctor has too knowing he has no insurance, and can’t afford to go see one. And then asks me if I can have him piggy back my doctors appointment just to get rid of us and says that they are just going to go through the motions and send him home. I had to argue with the doctor just to get him to give a 10 day supply of singular. I wish I could give less stars to this hospital but the one star I did give I would give to the gentleman in respiratory that was on last night graveyard shift. He was in fact the only one that showed any level of caring and honestly you guys don’t deserve him. He deserves a raise and it was because of him we got what we needed. I am so thankful to that gentleman just for being kind to us and helping us like they ALL should have. Because of this poor treatment we will not be returning to this hospital again and we will not recommend this to anyone. And no we don’t want to call anyone because obviously it makes zero difference what anyone says. I have read countless reviews and they do t change. So no I will not call you and talk about it. I have no interest.

Going to going to get new knee

I was taken to ER by Maine State Police after my 1/2 ton truck rolled off a black ice road and three good samaritans pulled my dog and me out of the truck and the Police helped me walk to their vehicle. I signed myself out from the ER untreated after 1.75 hours because I concluded that no one cared that, as a Northern Light patient with known high blood pressure issues who currently had BP of significantly over 200/90 and considerable back pain, everyone who arrived after me was being seen and I was simply ignored. Even a woman who came to the ER an hour after me with a bruised finger was seen ahead of me. No one seemed concerned when I explained my concern about not being seen and called a taxi and left. The reception person was pleasant, as was I. I guess the Triage nurse did not seem to think I merited anyone's attention. I am sorry I wasted my time going there, unfortunately. Today I received a phone call from a Northern Light representative who left a message indicating it was "important" that I return her call. 4 days later, some data must have crossed someone's computer screen and that person decided a follow-up call was due. Why the message was left with the indication that the call was "important" is beyond me. I returned the call, and the caller seemed to have no idea where or when I had sought care, what the cause or purpose of my visit was, or what occurred during the visit. One would think that before one placed a follow-up call labeled as "important", one would make some effort to know the subject matter. All in all, this entire experience only points to an uncaring service provider. I like my PCP very much, but at this point, I am sorry she is locked into the Northern Light network. I don't believe Northern Light is changing our area healthcare for the better, unfortunately. I hope my opinion will eventually be able to be reversed. Kind regards.

Went there for help..not much help..was there from 730am til 130pm n it wasnt busy..just send you home with more pills..pills..trying to feel better. N I only feel worse..

My husband was admitted with a stroke recently. He received wonderful care. We were very impressed with the emergency room, the nursing staff and the physical and occupational staff. All caring and competent. Thank you for making a traumatic experience a little easier.

Nurse's only have time for each other and their phones... With doctors you flip a coin... Do look for medical treatment else were.

The Drs in the emergency room are terrible! Their bedside manners are rude and condescending. They never seem to be too helpful either. A waste of money.

I got right in at the emergency room but after being given fluids I waited hours to see any nurse or doctor. A week later I went to another hospital and Northern Light Maine Coast had no record of me being in the emergency room the week prior. I was informed that it was common of the hospital to lose records or input them incorrectly. Overall disappointed.

A bad joke..

Actually they do not deserve a single star at all. Worst hospital ever. My loved one has been there several times in bad condition, and rather then actually take time to try to treat him properly, they just kept assuming that he was just an alcoholic and treated him for simple withdrawals....guess what? He got transferred to bangor and found out he has a blood clot and pneumonia...so..nope. Will never recommend this place ever as he also overheard negative conversations between employees. You people are heinous and deserve a lawsuit.

There are signs everywhere advertising that the cafeteria is open 6am to 2pm. At 1pm today the doors to get in were open but there wasn't a soul in there, the register was shut down and all of the drink/food coolers were locked shut.

The administration here cares more about their ratings than they do their patients.

Dr Yannick NKeng is not qualified to treat anyone...doesn't look you in the eye, leaves the room without answering your question and isn't seen again for hours...trash and food stuff left in room between patients...wanted to admit me for pain management of kidney stones but released me when I gave them a treatment plan and told them how to do their jobs...this place should be reviewed by the State of Maine and the Doctor should be removed.

Worst place I’ve ever gone to. I wish I’d have seen this 2.6 review score before bringing my poor wife here to give birth. Never have I seen such ignorance in a hospital I’ll never come back to this place ??????????

Only good words. Had the 'pleasure' of visiting the ER twice last week. Everyone was wonderful and caring and professional. Couldn't ask for a better treatment.

Waited for 2 hours, having troubles with the iud. Get in the room, just for the doctor to check to see if I’m anemic & giving me a bag of fluids - NOT going to check why I came in of course because he’s not an obgyn. SO when I red button the nurse she didn’t even come in she answered over a little computer thing across the room. PURE laziness & horrible at listening to what is actually wrong with patients.

My husband was billed three times for a mere $6.30, for a visit that Medicare can't even locate....let alone pay. A collection agency was sent after him. And let me clear.....we are not slackers. We have always been covered and we've always paid our bills...and on time. So we got the shaft. I've called billing and was told the bill was actually paid. I called Medicare and AARP and non could find the reason for the bill. I've always given you good ratings but I don't feel like I can do that any longer.

Went to the ER for kidney stone. Was attended to right away. Staff was professional and polite. PA made sure he answered any questions I had and explained each action he was taking. Staff was also dealing with a psychiatric patient in the ER and did it with dignity as she was very loud and vocal several times. As a tourist in the area being cared for so well when far away from home, it was comforting and sincerely appreciated.

I worked there for 14 months as a nurse. They are disrespectful and don’t care about their employees. I will never go there for health care and I’ll never work for them again.

The staff here, from the front desk to the nurses and the nurse practitioner were kind, funny, lighthearted, caring, and extremely knowledgeable. They examined and tested my "young adult" child thoroughly. They pulled him back quickly and went to work immediately to try and eliminate scary possible diagnoses. They gave good follow up directions and asked many times if we had questions. Nothing but praise.

If you want to be stripped of your dignity, and treated like an ignorant insignificant thing, have your every move controlled and watch, and listen to nurses mock and trash you, this is your hospital. The care my husband received wasn't even consistent. Every shift change came with a different opinion on course of care. Everyone is so concerned with hospital policies and maintaining their rating that there's no room or time for empathy it respect.

Dr.s treated poorly. high turnover. No quality care as a result.

Highly recommended. The doctors are expert, the nurses attentive and compassionate, the emergency staff responsive, and the atmosphere cheerful and friendly.

I received uniformly excellent care from kind and expert staff during ER visit and subsequent surgery after a hiking accident. Everyone I interacted with was wonderful.

We brought our four-year-old here to the ER after she burned her hand, and the staff was wonderful from the woman at registration to the nurses, to Dr Baldwin. Treatment was fast, courteous, respectful, and humane.

I'm in my 60's, my mom is in her 80's. I have a torn rotator cuff. My mom is in a wheelchair and weighs in excess of 200 pounds. Imagine the horror I felt when I was told that MCMH, in their infinite wisdom, decided to "do away" with valet parking!!! I can't just drop mom off at the front door and go park the car. She has moderate to severe dementia! I can't leave her with strangers! I heard a woman has already fallen and gotten hurt. Today I witnessed an elderly man barely able to walk with his walker cross the road and try to walk up the hill to the main entrance of the hospital. What happened to the volunteers? They have been parking cars for disabled and elderly people for years! Why would you do away with such a valuable service? I thought you cared about your patients, I guess I'm wrong.

I was admitted to the ER after suffering severe abdominal pain for a week or two and vomiting a lot. I was told I had mono and I just needed to take a week off from work until I was better. The next time I went back for the same thing minus vomiting, I was told there's nothing wrong, I'm fine. When I told my doctor I was diagnosed with Mono last time, he said, "And you believed them?" That's very worrying to hear from a doctor about people who went to school for years to be able to tell me that. All the staff with maybe 1 or 2 exceptions doesn't seem to care about the people they're treating. I'd rather die, or go to MDI/Bangor before returning here.

The staff is rude and uncaring. They used COERCION to get me to sign papers I had already told them I don't want to sign three times. They did absolutely NOTHING to help me and footed me an exorbitant bill for wasting my time. As another reviewer has pointed out, THIS PLACE IS A SHAM. I might sue this Mainer establishment. Screw Mainers.

I was admitted for severe pain management after surgery. Upon discharge, the Hospitalist said, point blank, " If you have any other issues, call your own Dr., don't come to our ER." ??? I had called my own Dr. and she sent me there for a quickly closing airway. I will never go to this sham of a hospital again.

Pore quality of workers, select few did a good job . I would listen to bed alarms going off all night long while staff did nothing but chat with each other while a gentlemen had to use the bathroom soiled all over the floor.n the staff call for other faculty to clean it up even the was there fault .I could not get a good night sleep due to staff leaving lights on in my room after multiple times asking to shut it off.also would not address my pain seriously.

Seems good, as far as hospitals go.