Wel Assist of Helena

Pros

• The nurse Jeanine took great care of the patient and calmed their nerves.
• The care was fast, and medications were promptly called into the pharmacy.
• The PA and RN were stellar.
• The staff were friendly and explained what they were doing and the treatment.
• Dawn explained everything thoroughly and allowed the patient to view their chart data in real time.
• The care for the 6-year-old daughter was amazing; nurse Jennifer was caring and gentle, and provider Guthrie made excellent medical decisions.
• The admittance staff were amazing, and the overall care was professional and thorough.

Cons

• They turned patients away before even checking them in, which was very sad and poor customer service.
• The front desk staff member was rude and gave medical opinions despite not being a clinician.
• They did not provide pain management instructions or medications after the visit.
• They misgendered the patient and did not address the patient directly for aftercare instructions.
• They failed to follow up after an orthopedic referral.
• The radiology scheduling was rude and uninformative.
• They billed over $400 for tests (COVID/flu/strep) without upfront estimates, described as unethical and greedy.
• The admissions nurse was not friendly and kept patients waiting for hours.
• The care was described as abysmal by a fellow healthcare professional.

Review

The collection of notes from these urgent care visits paints a picture of care that is largely compassionate, attentive, and efficient, with moments of exceptional bedside manner that left patients feeling heard and supported. Several voices emphasize how kindness from the staff - nurses, physicians assistants, and doctors - made the experience much more tolerable, even when people were anxious about needles, pain, or serious symptoms. In particular, a nurse named Jeanine is repeatedly remembered for calming nerves during procedures, and many patients highlight the overall warmth of the front desk team, nurses, and doctors. Across multiple accounts, the care is described as prompt, thorough, and communicative, with explanations of what was being done and why, which helped people feel more at ease during their quick, in-and-out visits.

A standout pediatric experience stands out in the narratives: a family bringing their 6-year-old daughter with multiple hand lacerations. The care team - Jennifer the nurse and Guthrie the provider - were described as exceptionally gentle and empathetic with a worried child. Jennifer's bedside manner, her careful wound cleaning, and her ability to explain every step helped distract and comfort the child. Guthrie's medical decisions were praised for their competence and empathy, and the team used glue for most lacerations with only one stitch needed. The patient's mother appreciated the smooth, professional process and felt reassured by the staff's kindness and the thorough care provided. The family's positive experience was framed as an important reminder of how essential attentive pediatric care is, and they even noted that the provider and staff left a lasting impression that would bring them back to the same urgent care if needed.

There are stories that emphasize how some visits felt lifesaving or life-affirming. One patient recounted a second positive encounter where staff listened attentively, treated symptoms promptly, and managed to keep up with a heavy workload without compromising thoroughness. The patient described being treated quickly and having antibiotics prescribed right away when sepsis was a concern, a moment they described as a life-saving intervention. The clinical team's efficiency extended to the charting, as results were posted swiftly, allowing the patient to review data independently. This blend of urgent responsiveness and transparency - sharing test results promptly with the patient - made a lasting impression and underscored the value of rapid, decisive action in urgent care.

Another narrative centers on Dawn, a medical professional who left a strong impression with clear explanations and thoughtful testing decisions. The patient praised Dawn for ruling out a broad range of possibilities while confirming what remained plausible, and for ensuring that results appeared in the chart almost immediately. The patient felt such relief from having questions answered and access to the data that they could review it themselves. This account underscores how crucial approachable, knowledgeable clinicians are in urgent care settings, especially for someone who values clear communication and access to medical information.

Yet the stories are not one-sided. While many experiences were highly positive, others highlighted gaps and frustrations that can arise in the urgent care environment. A recurring theme was the need for better aftercare planning. Several reviews noted that after-visit summaries sometimes lacked wrap-around care instructions or specific pain management guidance, and in at least one case a patient did not receive any pain medications. For a person with hearing loss and auditory processing challenges, miscommunication became a real barrier when care instructions were directed to a friend rather than to the patient themselves, underscoring the importance of gender-affirming and accessible communication. The frustration here centers on patient-centeredness and the need for care teams to face patients, speak clearly, and ensure instructions are directed to the patient to safeguard understanding and autonomy.

Follow-up and continuity of care also surfaced in the feedback. One patient, who had been referred to orthopedic services, reported no follow-up yet, highlighting gaps in post-visit coordination. There were admonitions about patient advocacy being indispensable for basic care, and concerns about misgendering and not providing the patient with their own targeted aftercare instructions pointed to broader issues around inclusivity and accessibility. In one case, the patient felt that a family member had received aftercare directions, not the patient themselves, which added stress to an already challenging situation and made post-care adherence more difficult.

Financial and administrative friction appeared in several accounts. Some patients expressed that lab tests and COVID-related testing led to unexpectedly high costs, with one reviewer noting a bill exceeding $400 and calling for better estimates or upfront warnings about lab expenses. There were also remarks about scheduling and customer service at the radiology front, with a feeling that the person coordinating X-rays could be uninformative and brusque, leaving the patient anxious about financial and logistical aspects of care. A few reviews also described front-desk interactions as less satisfactory, including references to rude behavior or being turned away before formal check-in. This contrasted with more positive experiences where admissions and registrations were smooth, and staff were welcoming, which illustrates how variable the experience can be depending on the moment and the team on duty.

Despite the range of experiences, several reviews emphasized how some encounters stood out because a few staff members made a significant positive impact. One patient praised Andrea Hedblom for her accessibility and attentiveness during a chest-pains-and-dizziness episode, noting that Andrea's empathy and usefulness stood out amid an arduous diagnostic journey. Others highlighted the "amazing" front-desk staff for turning around a stressful situation with warmth and efficiency. There were also mentions of excellent care during specific late hours or near closing time - cases where the team managed to deliver thorough exams, diagnose accurately, and provide prescriptions promptly, even when the clock was ticking down to closing.

Taken together, these reviews paint a nuanced portrait of urgent care experiences. The common thread is a profound appreciation for caregivers who listen, explain clearly, treat promptly, and show genuine concern for both patients and their families. The strongest praise centers on individual staff members who go above and beyond - nurses who soothe nerves, doctors who make well-reasoned decisions quickly, and clerical staff who welcome patients with patience and warmth. At the same time, gaps in aftercare instruction, frustration with inconsistent communication, misgendering, and the cost and logistics of tests and imaging remind us that urgent care is a dynamic space where ongoing attention to accessibility, communication, and transparency remains essential to ensure that every patient leaves with a clear plan, a sense of being respected, and confidence in the care they received.

This area of Helena, Montana, offers a convenient and accessible location for senior living. With several hospitals in close proximity such as St. Peter's Hospital and Big Sky Care Center, residents have easy access to healthcare services. Additionally, there are numerous physicians' offices, pharmacies, and a sleep disorders center nearby for any medical needs. The neighborhood also boasts a variety of places of worship for spiritual enrichment and several parks for recreational activities. In terms of dining options, there are restaurants like Overland Express Restaurant and Lounge, as well as cafes like Dive Bakery Cafe within walking distance. For transportation needs, there are car rental agencies like Enterprise Rent-A-Car nearby. Overall, this part of Helena provides a well-rounded community with essential amenities and services for seniors looking to settle down in a convenient location.

Hospitals

• Big Sky Care Center (0 miles)
• Helena Surgicenter (0.1 miles)
• St. Peter's Hospital (0.1 miles)
• Sleep Disorders Center St Peter's Hospital (0.4 miles)
• Shodair Hospital (0.4 miles)
• Joint Repair Clinic of Montana (1 miles)

Physicians

• Helena Orthopaedic Prompt Care (0.1 miles)
• Helena Orthopedic Clinic (0.1 miles)
• Helena Imaging (0.1 miles)
• Helena Dermatology & Laser Clinic (0.1 miles)
• Helena Cardiology Clinic (0.2 miles)
• Partners In Pediatrics (0.2 miles)
• Claeys Family Dentistry (0.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Bergum Drug (0.2 miles)
• Hi-School Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Capital Rx (0.2 miles)
• Safeway Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Covenant United Methodist Church (0.3 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (0.6 miles)
• Christ's Church (1.3 miles)
• Holy Cross Traditional Catholic Church (1.4 miles)
• Cathedral of St Helena (1.8 miles)
• St Paul's United Methodist Church (1.9 miles)
• Mount Helena Community Church (1.9 miles)

Parks

• Lockey Park (0.6 miles)
• Robinson Park (1.2 miles)
• Ramey Park (1.2 miles)
• Constitution Park (2 miles)
• Performance Square (2 miles)
• Paws Park (2.1 miles)
• Reeder's Alley (2.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Overland Express Restaurant and Lounge (0.7 miles)
• McDonald's (0.8 miles)
• Wendy's (0.8 miles)
• Pizza Hut (0.8 miles)
• Subway (0.9 miles)
• Bullseye Casino/Bar (0.9 miles)
• Shellie's Country Cafe (1 miles)

Cafes

• Dive Bakery Cafe (0.9 miles)
• 1889 Coffee House (0.9 miles)
• The Dirty Dozen (1 miles)
• General Mercantile (2 miles)
• No Sweat Cafe (2 miles)
• Hub Coffee (2 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (0.9 miles)
• Rent-A-Wreck (1.8 miles)
• Horizon Air Industries (2.1 miles)
• Boeing Co. (2.4 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark Helena And Xd (2.1 miles)