Overall Review of Health First - Holmes Regional Medical Center
common
24 reviews mention this
Staff care is a mixed picture
Many residents describe genuinely kind, attentive caregivers at Health First.
Across the reviews, residents (and families) point to caregivers who are friendly, responsive, and attentiveâespecially during inpatient stays and specialized units. Several comments single out nurses, CNAs, and medical staff for explaining plans of care, checking on patients, and treating people with compassion. At the same time, other reviews complain about missed call buttons, delayed responses, or feeling ignored on certain floors, which makes the experience feel inconsistent depending on timing and unit.
caveat
16 reviews mention this
Long waits and staffing issues
Residents frequently report long waits tied to staffing shortages.
A recurring complaint is delayed care in the ER, including instances where patients describe waiting hours to be seen or to receive requested treatment. Multiple reviews connect the problem to understaffing and describe situations where basic needs or follow-up requests were not handled promptly. Even when some parts of care are praised, residents often contrast that with slow throughput and limited responsiveness during busy periods.
caveat
9 reviews mention this
Cleanliness and sanitation concerns
Several residents mention cleanliness or sanitation problems during their visit.
Some reviews describe dirty conditions, including dirty prep/post-op areas, unpleasant odors or stained surfaces, and rooms described as having mold or other visible issues. Others mention sanitation directly, including claims about not having proper hygiene practices during care. A few reviews counterbalance this with praise for a clean, nice building, but the negative cleanliness comments show up often enough to be a clear concern for some families.
caveat
18 reviews mention this
Privacy and communication frustrations
Residents often report poor communication and limited privacy in the ER.
Several reviews describe chaotic ER setups, including care in crowded hallways or near public areas, where families felt privacy was lacking. Others mention communication breakdowns, like not being updated about plans, not having test results explained, or feeling dismissed when concerns were raised. There are also complaints about discharge processes and information handling, including situations where paperwork or instructions were described as incorrect or unclear.
differentiator
7 reviews mention this
Specialty teams get praise
Some residents report standout results from surgical and ICU teams.
While overall experiences vary, multiple reviews highlight positive outcomes tied to specific teamsâsuch as surgical staff and ICU or stroke-unit careâwhere residents describe serious problems being addressed promptly. Several comments credit doctors and nurses for explaining what was happening and for being attentive to pain and comfort during recovery. These positive stories stand out as the clearest resident-reported âhigh point,â even among reviews that criticize other parts of the hospital stay.
How we summarize
Counts show how many written reviews mention each theme; a review can touch several themes, and only frequently mentioned themes are displayed.