Had something interesting happen this morning. If you go to Patong hospital at 6 am with someone who has what would be classified as an "acute abdomen" you are told to "sit over there, the doctor will be here after 9am". I asked if this was the hospital with an emergency room....the ..... said yes. I then asked what happens if there is a motorbike accident? She said they would get to see the ER Dr. So why is this a big deal? With as many foreigners and aging expats we have here, its quite worrisome that an acute abdomen would be shelved for over 3 hours. God forbid if you walked in there with active chest pain. Acute abdomens are no joke. Granted it could be something minor such as gas or an array of major problems requiring surgery to correct. I had no idea that the ER was only for trauma patients. I was quite disappointed by the rude or under-trained staff.

Welcome to Thailand. If you are a foreigner and need medical attention, you go to a private hosiptal.

Actually not the case. But you need to understand how the public health system works. Patong is only a district hospital and these are not the place to go for anything more than a simple dressing/tetanus shot.

The provincial hospital in town would have been fine and would be my recommendation for any type of emergency.

See http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/615461-the-thai-public-health-system/

Sheryl is correct. Patong hospital was intended to be a fully functional hospital at the time that the hospital was redeveloped into a larger scale facility. Unfortunately the medical standards are poor (very poor) for such a large scale hospital. Often there is only one qualified doctor on duty, often no doctor. It's a disgrace. Only fit for a nurse to give first aid, then patients are sent over to Phuket Town hospitals.

You simply went to the wrong hospital. There are 2 government hospitals in Phuket Town and 3 private hospitals where you would have been seen to.

As my wife says " Patong hospital no good no doctor".

Yes, Thais are well aware that district hospitals have virtualy no capacity. for which reason they are little utilized.

That does make them a good choice for say a quick medical certificate, but not much else.

Yes, Thais are well aware that district hospitals have virtualy no capacity. for which reason they are little utilized.

That does make them a good choice for say a quick medical certificate, but not much else.

This is 120 bed facility - see website http://www.patonghospital.com/pth/index.php

History.

Formerly Patong. The public health service is. Health Patong. Located at 57 Water Slide Rd, Patong, Kathu, Phuket later expanded travel industry. So in the year 2528. The Ministry of Health has approved funding to build a 10-bed hospital building on the grounds of health. An area of ​​23 rai 1 ngan preliminary. The hospital's status as a branch of Wachira Phuket Hospital. Opened in the year 2529.

Later in the year 2531 was given a 10-bed community hospital called Hospital Kathu. And raised as a 30-bed community hospital in 2537.

In 2541 it changed its name from the Patong Hospital. Patong Hospital approved the 2541 budget in the amount of Baht 61 million for the construction of buildings in 60 patient beds.

January 3, 2543 the construction of 60 bed in-patient stay (Chiang Rak Tower) was completed. And was raised as a 60-bed community hospital.

On 6 October 2546 the construction of a 120 bed hospital (Building Conservation Chihuahua) completed and aims to extend a 120 bed community hospital.

Yes, Thais are well aware that district hospitals have virtualy no capacity. for which reason they are little utilized.

That does make them a good choice for say a quick medical certificate, but not much else.

This is 120 bed facility - see website http://www.patonghospital.com/pth/index.php

History.

Formerly Patong. The public health service is. Health Patong. Located at 57 Water Slide Rd, Patong, Kathu, Phuket later expanded travel industry. So in the year 2528. The Ministry of Health has approved funding to build a 10-bed hospital building on the grounds of health. An area of ​​23 rai 1 ngan preliminary. The hospital's status as a branch of Wachira Phuket Hospital. Opened in the year 2529.

Later in the year 2531 was given a 10-bed community hospital called Hospital Kathu. And raised as a 30-bed community hospital in 2537.

In 2541 it changed its name from the Patong Hospital. Patong Hospital approved the 2541 budget in the amount of Baht 61 million for the construction of buildings in 60 patient beds.

January 3, 2543 the construction of 60 bed in-patient stay (Chiang Rak Tower) was completed. And was raised as a 60-bed community hospital.

On 6 October 2546 the construction of a 120 bed hospital (Building Conservation Chihuahua) completed and aims to extend a 120 bed community hospital.

So, where is the water slide?

Yes, Thais are well aware that district hospitals have virtualy no capacity. for which reason they are little utilized.

That does make them a good choice for say a quick medical certificate, but not much else.

This is 120 bed facility - see website http://www.patonghospital.com/pth/index.php

History.

Formerly Patong. The public health service is. Health Patong. Located at 57 Water Slide Rd, Patong, Kathu, Phuket later expanded travel industry. So in the year 2528. The Ministry of Health has approved funding to build a 10-bed hospital building on the grounds of health. An area of ​​23 rai 1 ngan preliminary. The hospital's status as a branch of Wachira Phuket Hospital. Opened in the year 2529.

Later in the year 2531 was given a 10-bed community hospital called Hospital Kathu. And raised as a 30-bed community hospital in 2537.

In 2541 it changed its name from the Patong Hospital. Patong Hospital approved the 2541 budget in the amount of Baht 61 million for the construction of buildings in 60 patient beds.

January 3, 2543 the construction of 60 bed in-patient stay (Chiang Rak Tower) was completed. And was raised as a 60-bed community hospital.

On 6 October 2546 the construction of a 120 bed hospital (Building Conservation Chihuahua) completed and aims to extend a 120 bed community hospital.

So, where is the water slide?

All around everytime it rains!!!!

Yes, Thais are well aware that district hospitals have virtualy no capacity. for which reason they are little utilized.

That does make them a good choice for say a quick medical certificate, but not much else.

This is 120 bed facility - see website http://www.patonghospital.com/pth/index.php

History.

Formerly Patong. The public health service is. Health Patong. Located at 57 Water Slide Rd, Patong, Kathu, Phuket later expanded travel industry. So in the year 2528. The Ministry of Health has approved funding to build a 10-bed hospital building on the grounds of health. An area of ​​23 rai 1 ngan preliminary. The hospital's status as a branch of Wachira Phuket Hospital. Opened in the year 2529.

Later in the year 2531 was given a 10-bed community hospital called Hospital Kathu. And raised as a 30-bed community hospital in 2537.

In 2541 it changed its name from the Patong Hospital. Patong Hospital approved the 2541 budget in the amount of Baht 61 million for the construction of buildings in 60 patient beds.

January 3, 2543 the construction of 60 bed in-patient stay (Chiang Rak Tower) was completed. And was raised as a 60-bed community hospital.

On 6 October 2546 the construction of a 120 bed hospital (Building Conservation Chihuahua) completed and aims to extend a 120 bed community hospital.

It's still just a district (AKA community) hospital. Just with a larger number of beds in it.

Makes a big difference in the level of care available. It's still going to be small number of doctors who will likely be new grads serving out their compulsory govt service. No specialists and no surgical capacity other than minor surgical like draining abscesses and the like.

Patong hospital was not designed for the influx of tourists 30 years back.

My son was at the new Orbojor hospital (on the same road going to the Phi Phi pier, east of Robinsons). 2 doctors failed to diagnose my son over 2 weeks. But the third one hospitalized him 30 minutes after arrival.

A bit hit and miss, but for the most part, I recommend that hospital, if you can drive there in time. Mission is another one. Forget Wachira.

You simply went to the wrong hospital. There are 2 government hospitals in Phuket Town and 3 private hospitals where you would have been seen to.

"You simply went to the wrong hospital" => the one without A DOCTOR!

reminds me of an episode of 'Yes Minister' where there was a hospital without any patients!

You simply went to the wrong hospital. There are 2 government hospitals in Phuket Town and 3 private hospitals where you would have been seen to.

"You simply went to the wrong hospital" => the one without A DOCTOR!

reminds me of an episode of 'Yes Minister' where there was a hospital without any patients!

There was a doctor.

You simply went to the wrong hospital. There are 2 government hospitals in Phuket Town and 3 private hospitals where you would have been seen to.

"You simply went to the wrong hospital" => the one without A DOCTOR!

reminds me of an episode of 'Yes Minister' where there was a hospital without any patients!

There was a doctor.

Sure 'there was a doctor''..but not available to see the patient for at least 3 hours..may as well not have had one there!!

You simply went to the wrong hospital. There are 2 government hospitals in Phuket Town and 3 private hospitals where you would have been seen to.

"You simply went to the wrong hospital" => the one without A DOCTOR!

reminds me of an episode of 'Yes Minister' where there was a hospital without any patients!

There was a doctor.

Sure 'there was a doctor''..but not available to see the patient for at least 3 hours..may as well not have had one there!!

The doctor would have been available for e.g. a bike accident, but for these things.

Wrong hospital for illnesses (and where possible I would avoid it for anything else as well).

A neighbor suffered a stroke last year, unable to talk, stumbling around.

His wife rushed him to Phuket International, knowing treatment was urgent. A nurse told then to take a seat and a doctor would see them in an hour or so!

She took him straight out the door and went to Bangkok Hospital Phuket. They treated it as the emergency it was and treated him immediately.

He has recovered very well and is back to normal.

Even the private hospitals can be crap!