Pattaya City Hospital ... the good and not so good.

[easyride]

I went in there to get widely used generic blood pressure tablets (Ramtace/Ramipril) to be told "no have"

[tropo]

I went in there to get widely used generic blood pressure tablets (Ramtace/Ramipril) to be told "no have"

Why would you go to a hospital to get generic medicine? They'll charge double or triple what you pay at the local hole-in-the-wall pharmacy.

[easyride]

I went in there to get widely used generic blood pressure tablets (Ramtace/Ramipril) to be told "no have"

Why would you go to a hospital to get generic medicine? They'll charge double or triple what you pay at the local hole-in-the-wall pharmacy.

Simple, I usualy buy at a pharmacy in Pattaya Klang (60 baht for 10) but being lazy and having visited almost every pharmacy in Soi Buakow was pissed off with a multitude of no-haves or of instantly inflated prices as soon as they see a farang I wanted to see the new hospital and this was an ideal opportunity.

I went back to my usual supplier in the end.

[HappyInCM]

That is very reasonable. Pattaya Memorial Hospital much higher - 1,850 baht.

I went today to get an xray to check whether a crown I had swallowed has passed or not. 900 baht for 2 xrays (why 2 I don't know but they were insistent and of course on both I could clearly see the crown) and 800 baht for the Dr. to tell me the crown had not passed - which I could already see myself. 150 hospital fee.

Probably could have gone to BPH for that. Oh well, live and learn.

[JohnC]

Anyone know what time they open in the morning? I want to go tomorrow to register and any recommendations of a doctor? Thanks

[Gone]

I know they are open by 9:00 but not sure about earlier. You will see the doctor they assign to you at registration then if you need a specialist he will set up an appointment for you

[Bernard Flint]

In my experience, things like reception at all Thai hospitals is pretty good. They want your money and that's where you get your first impression of the hospital's staff, so they're instructed to kiss up well. It sounds like triage was actually just an extension of reception (letting you know how long you'll have wait and inviting you get coffee). Blood tests and X-rays are routine procedures that can be done with little training and/or interaction with the patient, so all of these are pretty superficial situations. What really matters is the care received from the doctor and the billing (fairness and accountability), From what you've said, I'm not impressed with this hospital. It seems that for the things that really matter, they failed.

I have to admit what you say is correct about the up-front staff.

When this was the clinic / small hospital next door on Soi Buakhao, they had many of the same staff, reception, triage etc.

The Triage that clean wounds, do dressing etc have always been very good.

This new hospital does have some of the same doctors too but as in many cases in Thailand it can be hit and miss with doctors.

There are two very good doctors there (whom I have seen) who explain everything and in a clear voice. I'll insist on seeing one next time I go.

Now I'm having to study the blood reports myself to see what levels are high / normal

One other thing I did not mention was about the chest x-ray. I had the x-ray done but the doctor never even mentioned it to me or the g/f. He certainly did not look at it while I was there.

Maybe others have a different experience of this new place. It would be interesting to hear their reviews.

I went with a severe infection,but after 1 week of drops,he told me to go to a hospital as it was very bad.so my view is terrible,if they can not sort out an ear infection,what chance have we got.Prices are very good,but i paid and not had a cure, then still paid over 2,000 baht for visits to Memorial,who did sort out my infection,would have paid 10,000 baht to get rid of the pain

[LeCharivari]

Mountains out of molehills throughout this thread.

Agreed - and just to add to it, what's described as "triage" here has nothing to do with triage (as Wavefloater suggested).

[balo]

Do they have a website ? I am trying to find out how much a health checkup will cost me. I think they offer different packages but would like to see a price list.

[JohnC]

As it's a government hospital they do not have a website (yet!) I went for a health checkup last month and paid B2900, included was, chest X-Ray, EKG , full bloods inc cancer markers and psa test, urine test. My colleague added HIV test which added B300 to his bill. Doctor was very good, spoke good English and went through a list to check what I wanted, we were in and finished in an hour and went back after lunch for the test results which the doctor explained in detail.

[balo]

As it's a government hospital they do not have a website (yet!) I went for a health checkup last month and paid B2900, included was, chest X-Ray, EKG , full bloods inc cancer markers and psa test, urine test. My colleague added HIV test which added B300 to his bill. Doctor was very good, spoke good English and went through a list to check what I wanted, we were in and finished in an hour and went back after lunch for the test results which the doctor explained in detail.

Ok and do they offer different checkups , or do you just pay 2900 and then add the other tests you need?

Thanks

Sent from my SM-P601 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Edited January 4, 2014 by balo

[JohnC]

The cost is based on what test you request which you agree with a doctor, basically you tell him what you want and he may suggest additions.

[praglen]

I did bring my GF to the hospital in March for a checkup, blood tests, x-rays, etc. for 1100 baht and a pap smear, which is given by the city health clinic next door for 400 baht on Fridays only. Very reasonable. As others have said, the doctor interviewed her a couple of hours later. Not much of a wait. She needs an eye examination now. Do they have an opthamologist on staff?

[EyesWideOpen]

• Cardiac catheterization or angiogram. To view blood flow through your heart, your doctor may inject a special dye into your arteries (intravenously). This is known as an angiogram. The dye is injected into the arteries of the heart through a long, thin, flexible tube (catheter) that is threaded through an artery, usually in the leg, to the arteries in the heart. This procedure is called cardiac catheterization. The dye outlines narrow spots and blockages on the X-ray images. If you have a blockage that requires treatment, a balloon can be pushed through the catheter and inflated to improve the blood flow in your coronary arteries. A mesh tube (stent) may then be used to keep the dilated artery open.
• CT scan. Computerized tomography (CT) technologies, such as electron beam computerized tomography (EBCT) or a CT coronary angiogram, can help your doctor visualize your arteries. EBCT, also called an ultrafast CT scan, can detect calcium within fatty deposits that narrow coronary arteries. If a substantial amount of calcium is discovered, coronary artery disease may be likely. A CT coronary angiogram, in which you receive a contrast dye injected intravenously during a CT scan, also can generate images of your heart arteries.
• Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). This procedure uses MRI technology, often combined with an injected contrast dye, to check for areas of narrowing or blockages — although the details may not be as clear as those provided by coronary catheterization.
• this is the best way to detect blockages i had mine done last week, be carefull with the medecines

You are a brave man. An angiogram is a test with a 1 % fatality rate...... Not sure I would have

one unless I was pretty sure there was a problem.

[ROBINPATTAYA]

But why did you bring the GF with you? Did you think that no one speaks English at the hospital? Almost as bad as the farang that bring their GF to immigration.

Sorry man, but you should leave the GF at home next time, then the doctors and other staff will talk with you.

I never take a girlfriend along as my wife does'nt allow me to have any ,but we go almost everywhere together and have done for the past 20 years ,and why shouldn't a man take his g/f with him? or are you the sort of person who believes women should be seen and not heard?

Often it shows dependency on a translator unable to do things yourself ect. Some people don't like it. I am caught in the middle I realize sometimes its good to have a native speaker with you on the other hand it does make you look stupid at times and it hinders your own development of language skills. So I will just say there is a time and place for both.

I find that if you have a Thai GF with you, they tend speak to her only & then you get a second hand translation.

I prefer to go alone so they have to speak to me & explain things to me, no matter how long that takes.

Most Thai GF's will tell you what they think you need to know, not the whole story.

Cheers

[Chang_paarp]

I find that if you have a Thai GF with you, they tend speak to her only & then you get a second hand translation.

I prefer to go alone so they have to speak to me & explain things to me, no matter how long that takes.

Most Thai GF's will tell you what they think you need to know, not the whole story.

Cheers

I had the same experience, got so frustrated that I would say to the English speaking doctor;

"Excuse me, who is the patient here. I would appreciate you talking direct to me."

[brewsterbudgen]

Does anyone have experience of this hospital (Pattaya City) for maternity / child birth? Given a choice between Pattaya City and Pattaya Memorial, which would you go for?

[Ling Kae]

I went to this hospital yesterday only to be told that there was no ears/nose/throat specialist in the hospital so I couldn't be checked out. All I needed was cleaning out of wax from the ears, any Doctor can do that. No Hab, sorry you can go Pattaya memorial. And yes they knew it was only a simple problem. Went to clinic instead and the Doctor saw me straight away, no problems.

[brewsterbudgen]

I went to this hospital yesterday only to be told that there was no ears/nose/throat specialist in the hospital so I couldn't be checked out. All I needed was cleaning out of wax from the ears, any Doctor can do that. No Hab, sorry you can go Pattaya memorial. And yes they knew it was only a simple problem. Went to clinic instead and the Doctor saw me straight away, no problems.

Thanks; sounds like they're rather short on services! So maybe they don't have a maternity unit?

[i claudius]

Do they have a gout doctor?

[Robroona]

Do they have a gout doctor?

This works for me.

Colchicine at most pharmacies. Tolchicine is the Thai equivalent, same same

[infinity11]

the trick is knowing who the good doctors and specialists (are at any hospital)

and perhaps when they are there are not there

so i have learned from the health forum

any good or great ones there?

i met one awesome GP in bangkok

miles and miles above the others

would like to find the same in patttaya if possible

[i claudius]

Do they have a gout doctor?

This works for me.

Colchicine at most pharmacies. Tolchicine is the Thai equivalent, same same

Thanks ,used it for years ,but it does not cure gout ,only kills the pain.

[emilymat]

I have a straight comparison.

About a year ago I went to Bangkok/Pattaya Hospital to have a small lump (cyst) removed from my back. It cost me around 2,000 baht altogether, what with weight, blood pressure tests which I did not want.

However, it came back and I went to Soi Bukhow hospital about 3 months ago, when it had opened for outpatients.

Saw doctor, appointment made, minor surgical procedure in A and E, 4 repeat visits for dressing. Completely cleared up now. Total cost 100 baht to see doctor and a further 400 for procedure and dressings. Total 500 baht, 1/4 the cost at BPH, and well satisfied with everything.

[thailandusauk]

Do foreigners pay the standard Thai price there ?

It's a public hospital right ?

[petermik]

Do foreigners pay the standard Thai price there ?

It's a public hospital right ?

Read the full post you will see that Thais are charged 50 baht to see the doctor 500 baht for everyone else

[joepattaya1961]

Beware: this hospital is a government hospital. It's also pretty new with several departments to be opened soon. Lots of people haven't found their way so far, but as soon as it is widely spread that PCH is up and running:

- the reception staff will be more stressed and less friendly

- the waiting times will be much longer

- the doctors will be more distant

- the cashier will work more efficiently

[maccraw]

Pattaya city hospital is government, not private--hence the remarkably low costs to non- Thais--or to those not registered in the 30 baht "national health" scheme. The last time I was there some months ago they had introduced a 500 baht charge for farang visits--maybe that has changed reading the post. No eye doctor last time either--but again maybe that has changed.

[balo]

Pattaya city hospital is government, not private--hence the remarkably low costs to non- Thais--or to those not registered in the 30 baht "national health" scheme. The last time I was there some months ago they had introduced a 500 baht charge for farang visits--maybe that has changed reading the post. No eye doctor last time either--but again maybe that has changed.

A 500 baht charge for what ? To see the doctor or is this an extra charge ? Cheaper to visit Pattaya memorial then.

[SheungWan]

One way to have a blood test/xray chest scan/urine test is to take out a one-year VIP card at Memorial which comes with an annual test thrown in.