After my surgery I was not offered pain relief, drinks or food for over five hours, but I was expected to pass urine or I would go back on a catheter. I wished for my daugher to come visit, to get me water and help me do things which staff seemed incapable of or just didn't have time to do, but she was not allowed into my room - she worked during the day and had a 2-year-old with her. I was in a private room and wished very much to see my grandson as well as having my daughter there for help. While I understand why patients do not want other people's visitors in their room, I would respect this, I was in a private room. She had drvien a long way with the child before we found out she would not be allowed in - matron would not even give explanation as to why she refused her access. The frustrating part is that there were loads of kids at this time with dads on other wards. I was on a ward which seemed to be for older ladies i.e. (not maternity - new moms with babies) and it would appear that the nurses made decisions without explanation.

Went into the emergency room with a suspected ectopic. Went in with bleeding and was met by a nurse who took my file, glanced at it, said 'you were in the other day, they told you you would miscarry, why are you here over a bit of bleeding?' I went on to explain that's not what they said, she then cut across me and said well come back when it's really heavy, we have real emergencies. One of the worst experences ever, would never recommend this hospital, a lot more staff training needed.

Had my second baby in the coombe 2 weeks ago. Overall the experience was a very positive one. I was looked after very well and treated kindly and professionally by all staff. The food was lovely. The nurses are overworked and under pressure to get around to all needy patients. However, they do their absolute best for all patients. The birthing suites are brand new, modern, clean and very private. A great hospital!

Absolute kip of a place. Consultant was an ingorant pig who was obnoxious and stormed off in a hissy fit after a nurse apologised for his behaviour. Was left with no consultant for the rest of my labour and was refused a C-section.

Had a miscarriage in October, found out while getting 3 month scan. All staff were fantastic, kind, understanding and so sympathetic even though they must see the same thing all the time. No issues with the level of care. However I am devastated now as passed some remaining material yesterday. The d and c didn't work. I have a retro sorted womb as does my sister, she had same procedure a year ago and they didnt get everything out with her d and c either. She was told it was due to her womb type. They knew mine was the same and I reminded them, and now 5 months later I discover there's still something inside me. The thought of going back there for the same thing is making me feel sick. Great hospital but if this is something that happens to women with tilted wombs why don't they do a follow up internal exam???? Instead of bringing it all back months later? Can't believe that it's so lax in this regard. Now it's more time off work and bringing the whole thing back up just as I feel I'm starting to get over it.

The staff on St Joseph's ward were amazing, from the midwives to the support people who helped me during my stay. I was cared for holistically and really appreciate everything.

During a scare with our pregnancy, we arrived feeling vulnerable, worried for our unborn baby and nervous about venturing into the unknown. From the minute I was admitted onto the ward, the nurses put me and my husband at ease and the care we got was world class. The thought that these incredible frontline staff are being forced to consider leaving this country because our government undervalues their vital contribution to the nation's health sickens me. Despite the obvious challenges staff face in relation to resources, the patient is always put first and there is a genuine atmosphere of care and kindness throughout the hospital. Our little family is home safe and sound thanks to the staff of the Coombe, that is priceless.

Hated it.

From the start of my admission the staff were fantastic, very friendly and helpful. I was in St Patrick's ward which was great. I couldn't praise enough the student nurses in the labour suite who helped me so much. I ended up needing the cup and forceps. I was prepped for a C-section and went to theatre. Luckily the forceps worked and my little bundle arrived 48 hours after it all started. All decisions were made quickly and efficiently. I felt reassured throughout by the staff. The nurses after the birth were lovely, which was great when you are absolutely wrecked. I couldn't speak highly enough about all the staff I met, they do a really fantastic job.

My sister had a c-section in the Coombe last summer. Her sheets, despite asking, were not changed for a week. There were no heated pads for prevention of mastitis and although the lactation consultant was excellent, there is lip service paid to breastfeeding otherwise.

Problem with food served - not very healthy at all.

The nursing staff are just fantastic, don't know how are other wards, but I consider myself very lucky for having the opportunity of being admitted in the St Gerard's Ward, the nursing staff were the best! Guy keep up the good work and thank you for being so nice and professional!

Overall delighted with the service in The Coombe. Have experience of the other maternity hospitals in Dublin and The Coombe was by far the best of them all.

Overall a very bad experience. I would not attend again. Only went due to previous medical history which meant potential complications in pregnancy/birth. Poor aftercare, very disturbing experience trying to breastfeed. My poor baby had finger marks on her cheeks after one nurse's attempts to 'assist' me!! Catering was a joke. You had to get out of bed to get your food in the postnatal ward, despite being a room full of C-sectioned women!!! You were never told what was on offer or if there was an alternative (standard stuff in most hospitals). I saw my doctor once afterwards!! Labour ward was fine, great staff and very informative throughout whole thing. Recovery room was a joke, too many beds. Again very little assistance with breastfeeding despite it being the very first attempt, a crucial time for both mum and baby. Overall very disappointed with the experience for such a well established hospital.

We attended a doctor here for our pregnancy, and without going into detail, found this doctor to be an extremely unprofessional and arrogant human who I would avoid at all costs. I could give countless examples of their bad behaviour.

Excellent service

Found the staff in the Coombe brilliant. Two midwives in St Oatrick's ward in paticular were very efficient and kind.

I had a laparocopy which resulted in the diagnosis of stage 4 endometriosis. I was a private patient. I was admitted to the day ward initally. On my return to the ward after the procedure i was frozen with the cold and asked for an extra blanket and some pain meds. I received neither. I asked againt for both some time later but received neither. When my doctor came to me to give me the diagnosis I asked for the pain meds and blanket which i received. Unfortunately by that time I was curled in a ball in the bed with the pain and cold. I was reluctantly kept overnight as I was vomiting. I received no further pain meds except a prescription for paracetamol on discharge the following morning. I also got no food as none had been ordered for me and as I'm a coeliac I could not have the leftover bread I was offered. The housekeeping staff told me that I had to give two days notice for gluten free food!. I will never return to this hospital, although my doctor was excellent.

I just had my 2nd baby attending Dr Hugh O'Connor. He is excellent. I would also like to Thank all of St Josephs ward who were very kind.

I had a very bad experience in the Coombe Hospital.

A great group of people work in the Neonatal unit and minded our day old baby so well and nursed him back to health. Thank God for them.

Best hospital-they work well with there little resources and it is spotlessly clean.

The midwife was really horrible to us. She kept saying my partner was in her way no matter where he sat. She also was unhappy that I had a lot of fluid when my water broke and said I couldn't go to the toilet because she didn't want to clean it up. The doctor was lovely and did a great job but the midwife really ruined the experience. After in the ward another midwife was rude and treated me like my questions were stupid even though I was a first time mother. She also shouted at me for trying to breastfeed on my own. I also had high blood pressure which was ignored for three days and then they made a fuss when I was being dicharged. I ended up having to return to the hospital for checks and was put on medication 5 days after the baby was born. There were a few helpful nice people in the hospital though. The second midwife in the labour ward named Isabel was lovely. She came in after the baby was born.The head midwife in the delivery that came in checking on all the suites. The Doctor Orla who delivered my baby did a really great job on the delivery and stitches. The night ward nurse Elizabeth who taught my baby to feed when she had trouble the first night.The doctors in the SP clinic Team B were lovely. The Perinatal Centre nurses. The helpers who helped bath and feed the babies.

After attending another Dublin maternity hospital for previous pregnancies, we went to the Coombe in the hope that we would be treated better. The care we recieved as a family unit was superb. The midwives are over worked, under resourced, and over stretched. But they give everything 100%. They are a credit to the country and their profession. The Hospital is in serious need of refurbishment, and extra staff. I heard one midwife ask her colleague could she give medication for her while she ran to the loo, she hadn't been all day and this was 6pm! The HSE and Minister for health should be ashamed themselves.

I had my first baby there, and now pregnant with my second I have chosen a home birth, as all my fears and anxieties to do with giving birth are hospital related and nothing to do with the actual labour and delivery. So many reasons for disliking this place, I can say that I've never left feeling happy. First time I was private, and all was great until I was admitted for the actual birth and at that point a completely different experience to consultant care. Ignored and patronized in labour ward, husband told he would be sent home overnight. Post delivery, Private room v hot, window didn't open, radiator couldn't be turned off, no private bathroom. Noisy cleaning staff=no rest. Scheduled eating hours, not allowed to keep food for later. Horrible food. Mixed and incorrect guidance for establishing breastfeeding. Second pregnancy/Early miscarriage: left in ER waiting area w pain and upset for 3 hours until a doctor saw me and said 'there's no point in me examining you because there's nothing left'. Terrible bedside manner. Third pregnancy: Rude admin staff, 3 hour wait at initial visit, unclear where to wait, patronizing nurses, very much out of the loop across the board in terms of how the Homebirth combined care should work, MISDIAGNOSED ANOMALY SCAN: given a huge scare that there was an abnormality, which was very poorly explained to us, no report given, told we should opt for an amnio and a blood test to rule out abnormalities, next scheduled appointment wasn't for 4 weeks later. Homebirth midwife recommended second opinion 2 days later, which confirmed everything was fine and healthy with no need for any further procedures. Although our pregnancy is healthy and normal and we'll probably be at home for the birth, I will be changing hospitals in case I'm transferred during labour, because being brought there in labour would set panic stations now. I'd like to add that the antenatal classes are split in to 2 types, which are totally at odds w one another: parent ed= pro intervention, Midwife actually said 'there are no medals for giving birth naturally' and they follow 'coached pushing' etc. Physio = encourage natural methods, educate on physical ed of birthing and encourage spontaneous pushing. V confusing.

The dirtiest hospital i ever stayed in ,toilets were filthy blood and maternity pads on the floor, no light working over my bed. When I told nurse she said there was enough light coming from hall so had to feed baby in the dark.

I had a hysterectomy on the 28th May and was readmitted with infection 2 days after being discharged. It is now the 19th of Sept and the infection is still present and the hospital still doesn't classify it as an emergency case. The system and level of care is appalling!

A true professional and also a very caring and understanding woman. I was so pleased to have had her deliver my first child. Her support throughout the delivery and her visits to me post delivery were much appreciated. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a private OB.

Had a horrible experience in the Coombe while having my first baby in jan 2012, the midwives were all excellent, however, the doctor that performed episiotomy & stitched me did it so badly I had to have surgery 4 months later to have posterior repair as well as having to have the episiotomy redone.

Hospital is brilliant.. will be back in future