Blackrock Clinic Reviews 29

3 years waiting for a scan in private is ridiculous. Support won't help.

I attended the Hermitage Clinic Emergency Department with symptoms suggestive of hypoglycaemia (light-headedness, cold extremities, no energy). Blood glucose and ECG were checked, which I appreciate, and were reassuring.
However, the overall experience was disappointing. Despite still feeling unwell and explaining that I live alone and have ADHD/neurodivergence (which can affect physical stress responses), I was told the department was too busy and that I might not be seen. Ultimately, as I wasn’t “admitted”, there was no formal discharge or clear written summary offered without specifically pushing for it.
For an emergency setting — particularly a private ED — I would expect clearer communication, a defined plan for symptomatic patients, and basic written confirmation of attendance and advice for GP follow-up. Being left in a grey area while still symptomatic was unsettling.
I would strongly advise others to consider a public A&E if they need observation or continuity of care, as this service felt very limited under pressure.

The ladies toilets were filthy with overflowing bins full of dirty nappies among other things. Notified reception who informed me they have reported it numerous times.

I attended Blackrock Clinic Emergency Department yesterday, very unwell. From the front desk , the exceptional care began from Carmel and Deirdre who informed the triage nurse and Consultant. Carmel and Deirdre were kind, professional, courteous and went the extra mile to assure I was seen promptly. The triage nurse, Hani was excellent and the Consultant Dr Eamon again was outstanding in his care and attention to my condition. I cannot speak highly enough of Blackrock Clinic and highly recommend them for how well they treat each and every individual. Thank you so much

Online Review – Prof. Boyle, Stroke Specialist

I attended Prof. Boyle for a private consultation (€500) seeking an independent review of multiple suspected strokes. The consultation fell far below the standard of care I expected — and in my opinion, it was unsafe.

Ignored MRI evidence: I provided full MRI discs, but he did not review them. For a stroke consultation, this is inexcusable.

Speculative diagnosis: Instead of focusing on neurological evidence, he suggested a psychological/FND explanation — a field outside his specialty (confirmed by Prof. Boyle). This was not based on any objective findings.

Dismissed clear clinical events: Multiple collapses, stroke-positive ambulance reads, and neurological symptoms were reframed as “psychological flare-ups.”

Avoided key technical questions: He refused to address the documented 67% MRI blind spot, ADC vs. DWI limitations, or stroke patterns already flagged by other consultants and radiographers.

Financial exploitation: He raised the fee from €400 to €500 on the basis that he would “spend more time.” Despite this, he delivered no meaningful review, no answers, and no plan of care.

Most troubling of all: within 24 hours of this consultation, another hospital professor confirmed what I had long proven — that I had suffered a stroke in the posterior circulation region, referring me to another specialist in the Mater Hospital stroke care for second opinion. I had the evidence, but I wanted an Irish stroke specialist to validate it. Prof. Boyle refused to do so.

He told me, in his own words: “It looks like a stroke, it acts like a stroke, but it’s not a stroke.” Instead, he labelled it as Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). In other words, he knew it was a stroke but would not sign off, because doing so would make him accountable.

This is the problem with stroke care in Ireland. Specialists like Prof. Boyle protect the institution over the patient. They will not take ownership of stroke diagnoses because the liability falls on them. That is concealment, not care.

I recorded the consultation for accuracy (due to hearing loss and brain injury). The audio confirms these failures. I will be submitting a formal complaint to the Medical Council of Ireland and Blackrock Clinic.

Refunding the €500 would have been the professional way to close this matter. Instead, it will remain on public record that a stroke specialist dismissed clear evidence, ignored scans, and delivered a speculative psychological label outside his expertise — while another professor confirmed stroke within 24 hours.

Final takeaway: Prof. Boyle ignored scans, dismissed stroke, and replaced it with a speculative psychological label. I would not trust him with your care.

Had the best hospital experience known to man, when I rang up to cardiac care to inquire about making my mothers appointment, I was greeted with a lovely, cheary, optimistic voice who I know now is the voice of the lovely Leanne, who explained everything with patience and care and put my worry’s at easy about how quick she had my mother seen to. LOVELY GIRL
Would ask for Leanne, 10/10 recommendations goes to this girl

I had a long day encompassing a blood test, X-ray and MRI. All through the day I was in the care of Sreenath Reddy who is truly a wonderful guy as well as being an excellent doctor. Great communication, knowledge and couldn’t have been more thoughtful in his dealings with me. I single him out but the whole team were great!

I had a day procedure in the hospital and found the entire process excellent. From the reception staff through my lovely consultant Dr Fiona Keogh everyone was cheerful and pleasant. The receptionist who walked to the theatre waiting area was lovely, then I met a very happy nurse (her name was similar to Assumption - so sorry I can’t remember, she was such a character!) As I sat in my cubicle waiting to see various doctors I could hear the staff talking together and to other patients, and the same cheery positive atmosphere continued. Dan was my nurse and he was great, very helpful and kind. When I was in the theatre everyone talked me through every step they were doing from moving the bed, connecting me to the machines etc., this helped keep me relaxed.

I woke up from a pleasant sleep after it was all done, all calm. An Italian nurse made sure I was ok and my consultant told me how everything went. I was brought to the 3rd floor where I was given a bottle of water, tea and toast and both the nurses checked on me regularly to see if I needed anything and how I was feeling.

Bravo to all the staff it makes a huge difference to the patient to make what can be an intimidating experience into something much easier. Hopefully I won’t be back soon, but if I do need medical intervention, this will be my first choice. Keep up the great work!

I had an emergency heart issue whereby my consultant Dr. Rory O'Hanlon needed to admit me for more cardiac tests. It was evening time and the girl on reception was really pleasant and efficient. I was admitted to the Stroke Unit on the 4th floor and stayed there for 4 nights. Every member of staff I encountered were so lovely and caring at a very vulnerable time in my life. A special mention to the day nurse Anita and then Johnson who took over after 2 days. There was also a very caring nurse on at night who was so calming and reassuring to me when I had a nervous meltdown. Dr. Rory O' Hanlon and his secretary Kathleen have been the most caring people throughout and Dr Jonathan Lyne who is going to be doing some procedures for me has also been very reassuring. If I was to have any negative thing to say it would be that a good bit of the food was mediocre but the hard working staff who bring it to you are not to blame for that. I have to undergo 2 procedures and I just hope I can receive as good a care then as I did on this occasion.

Typical consultant disrespect towards their patients. Originally scheduled for 9am, then a text message to arrive at 8am. Checked in at reception at 8am only to be told the consultant wasn't even in the hospital yet!!!
At 8:30, the nurse laughed as she told us, "Go on downstairs and have a cup of tea. He won't be here for an hour."

Disgraceful behaviour. No apology. Total disregard for patients paying over €200 for a consultation.

When will someone tell these "professionals" that everyone's time is valuable. Larry Goodman would not be impressed.

My mother age 82 years old was attending the pain management clinic for a pulsar steroid injection to her lower back. She has had this procedure done twice before in 2023 & 2024. She arrived at scheduled time 2:45pm and was not taken in until 4:45pm, she was no. 10 in the queue and said that she had never experienced the chaos that occurred on Friday. Nursing staff were all over the place and she commented that they were clearly not happy and talking in their own language to one another. Post procedure when she was returned to ward, two staff came to discharge her when she hadn't even received her tea & toast, then nursing staff disappeared on breaks and no one called me her next of kin. I arrived from work at 4:45pm to be told she had just been taken in and that I would receive a call. I never did only for my mother who called me and said she would be ready for collection at 6:45pm. I arrived back in up to the 5th floor nurses station and a nurse in a navy uniform was on the phone chatting away, she saw me and never made any attempt to put caller on hold and to address me, after ten minutes of waiting and not being acknowledged I took out my mobile phone and called my mother to see what ward/ room no. she was in, not knowing that she had also been left unattended as 2 nurses assigned, one had gone off on her tea break and the other who was supposed to be her point of contact had disappeared so she had to get a porter who was stripping the beds to leave down her bars on the bed and she dressed herself. When I called her on phone, she made her way to the door of the room where I encountered her and the nurse on her tea break who had just returned as my mother said she was waiting to be discharged and for her prescription and told her that her daughter was calling as she was at the nurses station waiting to pick her up.

This was outrageous that an elderly woman had to look after herself post procedure and had rang the bell for assistance and no one had come, so she had asked the male porter to let down the bed bars for her to get out of the bed. She could have fallen and seriously injured herself, this was a health and safety breach.

For a private hospital the lack of patient care and negligence is unacceptable, not to mention I never received a call from the staff to advise me when my mother was to be discharged and encountered a rude nurse who completely blanked me at the nurses station. I work in the HSE in a community outpatient setting in mental health services in Tallaght for over 65's, they receive such good treatment from all our team and it's a public service!

This hospital should be closed immediately! No staff around you’ve to wait for ages before you get some help, they leave you just in the sitting room waiting for hours for a treatment that’s take 10 minutes. Is the same
Scenario’s as in Pakistan. While the horrible owner is getting all money for himself instead of hire more staff. I hope this matter will take serious. This can’t be go further

Disappointing and Unprofessional Service

I am extremely disappointed with the level of service at Hermitage Clinic, particularly from the telephone assistants I encountered today. At a time when patients and their families are going through incredibly difficult and emotional experiences, you would expect at least a basic level of empathy and professionalism. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

I recently had to contact the clinic regarding cancer treatment, and I was met with outright rudeness from not one but two different telephone assistants. Instead of offering any support or understanding, they were dismissive, impatient, and unhelpful. When dealing with something as serious as cancer, the last thing anyone needs is to feel like they are being treated as an inconvenience.

It is shocking that a healthcare facility that should prioritise patient care allows such unprofessional behavior. A little compassion goes a long way, and it's unacceptable for staff to speak to people in such a cold and unpleasant manner. I pointed this out on the phone and the lady just hungup. I sincerely hope the clinic takes this issue seriously and provides proper training for their staff. No one should have to deal with added stress and frustration on top of an already difficult situation.

Would not recommend based on this experience.

5 hours in A&E. No information about waiting times. Attempts to ask rebuffed. One doctor. Staff pleasant but shockingly badly organised. No system to refer people for X-rays other than waiting for the doctor to send you even though X-ray was clearly required. €235 basic to be seen before xray. Would never go back.

Nicholas Walsh's appointment system is completely disorganized, and they refuse to acknowledge it.

I received an appointment scheduled 1.5 years in the future—what does that say about their system? In the days leading up to the appointment, there were no reminders. I expected confirmations or reminders, as any reputable medical facility would provide, but this clinic simply does not seem to care.

On the day of my appointment, I followed their instructions and waited for an hour, yet they had no record of my presence despite my attempts to check in. When I finally managed to speak with the secretary, she responded by shouting at me and making excuses.

This was, by far, the worst experience I have ever had.

I don’t know where to start , actually I do I had to have some blood test done and was a complete nervous wreck about them due to what the nature of the test were for anyway I need to give this lady the biggest ever 5************** review I’ve ever given somebody her Name is Erica she works on reception in the bloods department , she is a real life angel she went above and beyond to help me out with everything nothing was an issue , she was kind and compassionate and was completely understanding to why I was feeling g worried and literally done everything she could to make sure i had all I needed . Honestly words aren’t enough for this lady every hospital needs a receptionist like her ! I went in crying with worry and left laughing and honestly Erica it was becuase of you ! So Thank you so so much for being so kind today and just for possibly being the nicest women I ever met !

Abbey x

I just paid for 1 sausage, 1 piece of bacon and I fried egg in the hospital restaurant. I was extremely disappointed in the poor standard of food. I payed for a Luke warm piece of bacon, combined with the barely Luke warm fried egg and a hot sausage. When I mentioned to a staff member they needed to replace the eggs as mine was horrible, I was told they were made within the LAST HOUR... I then went to cut the bacon which was impossible as the wooden knife and fork could not cut through it , it was so hard. I mentioned the bacon was also not edible. I put my plate with having only ate the sausage, I was offered a replacement which I turned down for obvious reasons. Since when was a fried egg edible having sat for an hour.....

Prof Mark Walsh was arrogant and dismissive. He received a phone call towards the end of my consultation and took it with pretty much a dismissive wave of the hand to leave. €250 cash only!!

I spent a few days in Blackrock. My experience on ward not so good. Everything rush explained and left to your own devices. Food awful, had to ask several times whats going on, had to expain to ward nurses what Dr said for them to follow-up not understanding why they could not understand consultants instructions left at nurses station. Despite expensive fee's which insurance only covered some - I could not help but think that money was the no.1 priority and not the patient. Money means nothing when your not well and I'd have paid anything to get right. There's no way I'm going to critisie the ward or hospital staff, they're just doing their job and probably paid poorly. But no compassion/empathy existed except when it came to consultants even then I felt being fobbed off as they were in a rush. Felt I was not understood and I did not understand the ask from me at times, there was definately language and communications barriers. Never going back to Blackrock - used to be Platenum from me based on outpatient and past stays for other family members.

I received a CT scan on the 7th September 2024 and I have had no communication from either the consultant M/s Zenith Martin or her secretary who I contacted about same .I was told that the disc was received by her secretary and was passed on to the consultant that was over two months ago and I have not heard anything since.
Bernard Kelly
Dodder Avenue
Firhouse