Pathlab Tristram St (last 15 minutes of opening hours is reserved for drop off and urgent samples only)

I go every month. Staff are always courteous and helpful. Very occasionally the phlebotomist isn't the smoothest, like in any other service nobody's perfect. The majority of the time I'm very happy with the care they provide.

Came on here to complain about rude treatment from the receptionist yesterday and see I'm not alone!! Only went in to drop off a sample and got patronising sarcasm. Didn't really feel like I could trust her with a time-sensitive sample either.Pathlab, it's been years - why are you still letting her talk to people like this??If you're not forced to go here and can go to another Pathlab, the one at St Andrews is great and there's rarely a queue.

I have been attending this place for many years and the staff at reception are generally grumpy and quite rude. I said “good morning” but got no response. My papers were grabbed and I was told to “ sit over there” like a naughty child. I know these women are dealing with the public and probably have a difficult job but surely they could be a little more professional and polite. I am elderly and I always feel like I’m an intrusion in their day. Lighten up ladies!

Another RUDE experience. On Wednesday the 21st December 2022, at about 8.30 am, I went in just to drop a sample (specimen). There was a white rack placed on the front desk. I put the sample in the tray and as I turned around to leave, the lady at the counter-(an elder lady) very RUDELY said “you should join the line”.I just stared at her. She said “you just squeezed in”.She picked up the sample plastic bag, looked at the document inside it for 2 seconds and said “ok thank you” and I left. I felt so insulted and started to have a low self esteem. Her tone was so RUDE and LOUD that people sitting there were staring at me. I just put my head down and walked away, feeling so ashamed. Why do I need to join the queue and keep waiting, when I can just drop the stuff off and leave? Pathlab should have a separate desk where samples can be dropped off. No point in joining a long line and waiting, just to drop a sample. I have read other people’s reviews about the lady at the counter. If she is the same one I am referring to, then I don’t think her attitude has changed. Does she need some training as to how she should be presenting herself to the people. We are human beings and we need respect. I hope change will happen in the way Pathlab staff esp. at the front desk, deal with people. Thanks.

01/02/2023. Went in at 12:00 for a blood test. The white haired woman on reception was incredibly rude and dismissive when I asked her to clarify what she meant as I did not understand what she was saying. Not due to an accent just the way she was explaining registering my car in the park. She was very impatient and disrespectful. Her colleague at reception looked embarrassed as did the patients in reception that could hear her speak to me. When I sat down a lady I did not know costed that she was shouting at me. The positive was the clinician that took my blood. Room number 3- he was excellent.

Got my blood test a week ago and the bruising hasn’t gone away.The lady that had done it was very rough and was digging around with the needle in me to try and find the vein. Don’t know how a professional can mess it up that bad. Would appreciate it if they were more caring and attentive.

Receptionist Debbie really needs to get new job .. so rude to so many people this morning. It’s every time I go, her attitude never changes, so negative. Nobody wants to be sick /be there or get their bloods done, she should be more considerate towards people and their situation. A smile wouldn’t hurt… It’s ashame the only place I can go is Anglesea otherwise I wouldn’t return. Ladies who take blood on the other hand very lovely and kind.

Arrived at 7:45 (15 mins after opening) this morning to a crowded waiting room (probably about 20-30 people waiting). It was a very slow turnover. Waited for about 45 minutes (to about 8:30) and still no sign of getting called. Asked the receptionist and was told that 5 people is in front of me in the queue and it will be another 15 minutes or so... I called the other branch and they informed me that they had no queue. So I handed my wait slip and hurry out to the other branch (with no queue).Avoid this branch like a plague unless you have 1 hour of spare time to wait for a blood test. The others (in the suburb) seems to have no/minimal queue....

Was a bit apprehensive to go to this Pathlab after seeing the reviews but was relieved to have a positive experience. Turned up 10mins before opening on a Saturday and there was already a queue of 15-20 people, once opened the queue moved quickly and I was seen within 30mins. My phelbotomist was friendly and he had good banter to distract me from my blood test. I hope any future tests will also go as smoothly.

December went in with my Grandaughter while her mother parked the car. Was spoken to very rudely by receptionist for not wearing a mask. And sarcastic remarks when I said she had been sent by her Doctor just can’t remember the exact exchange but on telling my daughter when she arrived about rudeness she said oh ‘they are always like that in there’. Will never return there again. Receptionist needs some training on how to respect people .