Bayside Health (Alfred)

First of all, The Alfred's emergency department is not free for international visitors who aren't eligible for Medicare or reciprocal healthcare. My bill was around AUD 600, so be prepared for a substantial charge. The waiting time was reasonable for an emergency department, and the staff were friendly. However, I found the overall experience surprisingly casual for a hospital. While waiting for the ER doctor in a patient room, I wasn't offered water, and the nurse didn't check in with me. I was also instructed to unplug myself from the ECG monitor if I needed to use the bathroom. At one point, the monitor beeped red for a while, but no one came to check on me. After the doctor saw me, I removed my own ECG electrodes and walked out. I wasn't in serious condition, and I appreciated the relatively short wait and friendly staff. Still, given the cost, I expected more attentive monitoring and communication. Overall, the experience left me underwhelmed.