Biggs Gridley Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility in Gridley, CA

Pros

• The staff were super nice and attended to patients quickly, with speedy service.
• The nurses and doctors were very nice and made her feel comfortable.
• From the front desk through the ER, the staff were kind, efficient, and caring.
• The service was amazing and treatment started promptly.
• They treated patients with kindness and respect, not just like a number.
• The whole staff was phenomenal.

Cons

• It is described as the worst hospital to ever go to, with a warning to visit only if one has a death wish.
• A patient was discharged with no bandages on an amputated finger and staff disappeared and refused to come out.
• Patients wait for hours with no one checking on them.
• The staff are rude and unprofessional, with several nurses belittling patients.
• The hospital has seriously gone downhill in the past few years.
• Some clinicians dismissed serious symptoms as anxiety and delayed essential testing like imaging.
• The facility is dirty and poorly maintained.
• Administration and referrals are uncooperative and disorganized, causing paperwork delays.
• A surgery performed there led to infection and sepsis, which shouldn’t have happened.

Review

Biggs Gridley Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility is best suited for families seeking budget-conscious, locally located care where daily operations can feel steady on good days but are undeniably inconsistent overall. When staff are present and engaged, residents can receive attentive bedside care, and a handful of clinicians have demonstrated the ability to communicate clearly and act with competence. Yet the experience is highly uneven. Some shifts deliver prompt triage, compassionate nursing, and direct doctor interaction; other days stretch into hours of waiting with minimal updates and unclear next steps. In practical terms, this SNF-leaning facility serves a narrow segment: those who can absorb fluctuations in responsiveness and plan around potential gaps in escalation, with the backup of preferred specialists or regional hospitals if a crisis arises. It is not a reliable choice for high-acuity needs, constant pain management, or a caregiver who requires consistent, coordinated care.

Families evaluating alternatives should focus on risk tolerance for medical emergencies and the willingness to travel to higher-quality facilities when necessary. Reviews repeatedly flag long ER waits, poor triage, and disjointed discharge planning, cases where patients wait hours for a single update or are discharged with little explanation or follow-through. For seniors with chronic or complex conditions, or those who value predictable communication, alternatives in the region are strongly indicated. Enloe Medical Center in Chico, Sutter Health facilities in Roseville or Chico, or UC Davis in Sacramento are frequently named as superior options for acute care or specialty needs. Even within the local market, facilities with more consistent staffing patterns and better care coordination will likely outperform this option for urgent medical events.

On the plus side, several reviews describe genuine kindness and professionalism from particular staff members. Instances of rapid intake, attentive nursing, and compassionate bedside manner appear when the right team is on duty. Some patients report clean, calm environments and reception staff who are friendly and helpful. These bright spots prove that quality is possible and staff can excel under pressure. However, these strengths struggle to offset the deep, recurring drawbacks: erratic staffing, prolonged waits for tests and results, and disorganized communication that leaves families guessing about diagnoses or discharge instructions. When pain management and diagnostic follow-through are unreliable, even the most personable nurses cannot fully compensate for the risk and frustration created by systemic gaps. The contrast is jarring: moments of excellent care exist, but they are episodic rather than reliable.

From a family planning perspective, the central concern is safety and reliability. The reviews reveal repeated episodes of long waits, miscommunications about tests and prescriptions, and discharges that feel unsafe or rushed. There are reports of missed or delayed imaging, forgotten orders, and care teams that appear overwhelmed or understaffed. In some cases, patients described rude or inconsistent behavior from staff, undermining trust in the care process. Yet there are countervailing notes of appreciation for specific nurses or intake staff who displayed warmth and competence. The overall message is clear: the hospital can deliver commendable moments, but the pattern is erratic, and the risk of critical missteps remains unacceptably high for families relying on urgent, coordinated care for themselves or loved ones. For those with historically good experiences in quieter shifts, there may be hope; for most, caution remains the prudent stance.

Guidance for families choosing this facility is pragmatic and action-oriented. Demand timely triage and ask for a named point person when concerns arise. Insist on real-time updates about test results and clear explanations of diagnoses and treatment plans, with written discharge instructions and a confirmed medication list. When possible, designate a family member or advocate to remain involved during the stay and to coordinate with outside providers, including primary care and any home-health teams. Verify that referrals and imaging orders are followed through and that prescriptions are actually called into a pharmacy. For high-acuity cases or if there is any doubt about safety, plan for transfer to a higher-performing hospital rather than remaining at this facility for decisive care. In practice, this approach minimizes the risk created by inconsistent staffing patterns and communication failures.

The bottom-line recommendation is decisive: this facility is typically not the right choice for families prioritizing reliable urgent care, consistent staffing, and respectful, transparent communication. It may be acceptable for short-term, budget-sensitive needs or for residents whose families can actively oversee care and consistently supplement with external clinicians. Those with significant medical complexity, chronic pain management needs, or a history of requiring rapid escalation should look to larger regional hospitals or alternative SNF options with stronger track records in timeliness and care coordination. Proximity and cost matter, but they do not justify compromising safety, clarity, and trust in care. A clear plan for escalation and a readiness to seek care elsewhere when warranted are essential for any decision about this community.

Located in the heart of Gridley, California, this area offers a convenient and accessible community for seniors. With two hospitals within close proximity, including Biggs Gridley Memorial Hospital and Orchard Hospital, residents can rest assured knowing quality healthcare services are readily available. Additionally, there is a variety of pharmacies nearby to meet medication needs. Various dining options such as Habanero Fish & Tacos and Subway provide convenient meal choices, while places of worship like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and cafes like Dutch Bros Coffee offer opportunities for social connections and spiritual nourishment. For entertainment, Feather River Cinemas is just a short drive away, along with several parks for outdoor recreation. Transportation options include Oroville Municipal Airport and taxi services for easy mobility. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded environment for seniors looking to enjoy a comfortable and active lifestyle in Gridley.

Hospitals

• Biggs Gridley Memorial Hospital (0 miles)
• Orchard Hospital (0 miles)
• Community Comprehensive Care (11.5 miles)
• Oroville Hospital (12.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (11.5 miles)
• Madison Home Pharmacy (11.8 miles)
• Table Mountain Pharmacy (12.2 miles)
• Dove's Landing Pharmacy (12.3 miles)
• Oroville Care Pharmacy (12.3 miles)

Physicians

• Gridley Medical Group (0.1 miles)
• Redge M Hawkley Dpm (0.1 miles)
• Pediatric Clinic (0.1 miles)
• Joel G Long DO (0.5 miles)
• Lili Phung, MD - Oroville Eye Care (11.3 miles)
• Sultan Sultan Chopan Chopan MD (12.3 miles)
• Digital Hearing Aid Centers (12.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Habanero Fish & Tacos (0.1 miles)
• Subway (0.5 miles)
• Little Caesars Pizza (0.5 miles)
• McDonald's (0.5 miles)
• Los Compadres (10.6 miles)
• Gogis Kitchen (11 miles)
• Panda Express (11.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (0.2 miles)
• Gridley Christian Church (0.3 miles)
• Gridley United Methodist Church (0.3 miles)
• Sierra Butte Baptist Association (0.7 miles)
• Kingdom Hall (1 miles)
• Fuente De Vida Eterna (5.8 miles)
• Landmark Missionary Baptist Church (6.1 miles)

Cafes

• Dutch Bros Coffee (6.6 miles)
• Olson House Coffee (10.9 miles)
• Starbucks (11.1 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (12.2 miles)
• Mug Shots Coffee House & Internet Cafe (12.4 miles)

Transportation

• Oroville Municipal Airport (OVE) (9.7 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (9.7 miles)
• Butte Taxi (10.9 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (11.2 miles)
• A Yellow Cab Company Of Oroville (11.3 miles)
• Torri Taxicab & Shuttle (11.7 miles)

Theaters

• Feather River Cinemas (10.5 miles)

Parks

• Riverbend Park (11.3 miles)
• Bedrock Park (11.7 miles)
• Sank Park (11.9 miles)
• Rotary Park (12.1 miles)
• Nelson Park (12.5 miles)