Brunswick Hospital Ctr Inc

Pros

• The Horizon unit staff were great and very friendly.
• Marisa Kennedy, the social worker, is described as an absolute angel who was very communicative and helpful.
• Valerie, a PA, was extremely sweet and brought movies for the patients.
• Myra, a floater PA, brought many new movies and was great too.
• Ashley, who led the talk therapy, is attentive and sweet.
• Dr. Khan was great.
• The guard at the front door was very nice.

Cons

• The hospital is described as the worst facility in New York, with incompetent staff and horrible communication with families.
• Discharge instructions are reported as being wrong or belonging to other patients, with staff blaming the family instead of taking responsibility.
• Some reviews claim the place operates as a holding area to extend stays for higher payouts rather than providing real mental health treatment.
• Staff are described as rude, infantalizing, demeaning, and fear-inducing, especially toward neurodivergent patients.
• Communication by phone and with families is inconsistent and confusing, with schedules ignored and information not updated.
• The environment is described as chaotic and unsafe, with fights between patients and staff and little to no meaningful activities.
• Food, temperature control, and entertainment options are described as poor or unacceptable.
• Many reviewers urge closure or major reform of the facility, with some calling for a zero-star rating.
• Specific failures include being dropped off without communication, missing promised drinks or meals, and a general sense of negligence toward basic patient rights.

Review

The collection of experiences shared about this hospital paints a consistently troubling picture for many families and patients, with a few noted exceptions. Across the board, the most persistent complaints center on communication failures, perceived incompetence, and a sense that patients are not treated with the care and respect they deserve. Several reviewers describe a system where information is hard to obtain, updates are inconsistent, and families feel left in the dark about diagnoses, procedures, and discharge plans. When families do try to reach the right people, they often encounter rushed, curt, or dismissive responses, or simply get routed through a maze of numbers and departments that never seem to resolve their questions. The repeated sentiment is that essential information should be clear, timely, and accessible, but in practice it often falls short, leaving loved ones anxious and unsure about what's happening to their family member.

A dominant theme is the sense that the hospital's operational culture emphasizes stabilization over genuine treatment or rehabilitation, and that this approach can feel more like a holding pattern than a path to recovery. Several accounts describe discharges that occur without proper preparation, including receiving the wrong instructions for a discharged patient or being dropped off at the facility without a proper handoff to families. There are also reports of patients being treated aggressively - ranging from feeling bullied or infantilized to being subjected to restraints or tranquilizers without adequate justification. One reviewer explicitly linked antipsychotic medication to the onset of tardive dyskinesia, underscoring fears that medications may be used to push patients toward longer stays rather than to promote true healing. Taken together, these experiences create a sense of powerlessness among families who want to understand and advocate for their loved ones.

The day-to-day environment and program offerings emerge as another sore point. Reviewers repeatedly describe an outdated facility with temperature extremes, limited and uninspiring activities, and minimal opportunities for meaningful engagement. They note a scarcity of adults' activities, a sparse and inconsistent schedule, and a sense that the few entertainment options - such as old televisions or limited movie selections - do little to address the emotional and psychological needs of patients. Group therapies and other therapeutic activities exist, but their quality and accessibility vary; some staff members are praised for being attentive and helpful, while others are perceived as unengaged or even dismissive. In this mix, the overall impression is that the hospital has the appearance of a temporary holding space rather than a place designed for sustained mental health care and recovery.

Amid the frustration, there are pockets of appreciation for particular staff members who stood out in a positive way. On the Horizon unit, some reviewers describe a cadre of staff who were kind, approachable, and genuinely supportive. One social worker, Marisa Kennedy, is singled out as an "absolute angel" who communicated effectively and helped secure quick solutions. A few nurses, nursing assistants, and office staff are remembered fondly for their warmth and professionalism, and a couple of physicians are named as competent and caring. These glimmers of humanity offer a counterpoint to the overall negative tone and suggest that, even within a fraught system, compassionate individuals can make a meaningful difference for patients and families. When such staff are present, they become the bright spots that remind everyone that better care is possible.

For some reviewers, religious and cultural accommodations - or the lack thereof - becomes a focal point for broader concerns about patient rights. One account highlights a Muslim patient whose inability to observe prayer due to scheduling or facility constraints is described as a violation of their guaranteed rights to practice religion. Another reviewer notes that practice, privacy, and respect for personal beliefs were not adequately upheld. These elements - the respect for religious and cultural needs alongside basic privacy and autonomy - are intertwined with the larger critique about how the facility respects patients as persons rather than as numbers or insurance cases. When rights and dignity are perceived as secondary to administrative efficiency or cost-containment, trust erodes quickly, complicating recovery efforts and reducing the likelihood of meaningful therapeutic engagement.

A recurring critique is that the hospital feels more like a financial or administrative bottleneck than a place dedicated to genuine healing. Several reviewers allege that the system prioritizes staying within insurance parameters, extending stays for financial gain, or simply failing to coordinate care in a way that supports real progress. The sense of being stuck in a continuous loop - where the goal is to "hold" patients rather than to help them move forward - appears to be a major grievance. In these accounts, families report hours-long waits for basic admissions processing, unreturned calls, and a general atmosphere of frustration that compounds the stress of having a loved one in crisis. The impression is not just about individual missteps, but about a systemic pattern that leaves families feeling unseen and powerless.

Against this backdrop, a few reviewers explicitly call for decisive action: avoid this facility if possible, seek alternatives such as intensive outpatient programs when appropriate, and advocate for systemic improvements. Several express a wish for reform or even closure of the hospital, underscoring how deeply the experiences have affected their confidence in the institution. Yet even in the midst of intense dissatisfaction, there is a recognition that not every staff member is responsible for the overall shortcomings; some individuals do their best under challenging circumstances. The overall message, however, is clear: when families and patients describe a facility as a "hell hole" and as the worst place they have experienced, the doubts about the quality of care and safety become not merely a complaint but a defining impression of the patient journey.

In the end, these reviews converge on a single, stark takeaway: credible care for mental health and rehabilitation requires consistent communication, genuine respect for patient rights, and a commitment to meaningful, individualized treatment rather than a hurried or impersonal process. Good moments and humane interactions exist and matter, but they are not enough to offset widespread concerns about neglect, miscommunication, and a culture that can feel indifferent to patient dignity. For families caring for someone who may be admitted here, the message is to weigh the options carefully, seek second opinions when possible, and advocate relentlessly for clear information, attentive listening, and real engagement with treatment plans. The path to recovery should feel collaborative, hopeful, and patient-centered - not a sequence of disconnections, delays, and administrative hurdles.

This part of Amityville, New York, offers a convenient and comfortable environment for senior living. With multiple pharmacies nearby such as Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy, access to healthcare amenities is easily accessible. Transportation options are also readily available with the LIRR stations in close proximity for easy travel. Additionally, there are various physicians' offices in the area like the Maxine S. Postal Clinic and Babylon Medical Practice for medical care needs. Places of worship, restaurants, cafes, theaters, parks, and hospitals are also within a short distance for social activities and entertainment. Overall, this community provides a well-rounded environment with essential services and amenities for seniors looking to relocate to the area.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4 miles)

Transportation

• LIRR - Amityville Station (0.3 miles)
• Atlantic Aviation (2.5 miles)
• Lirr - Lindenhurst Station (2.6 miles)
• Massapequa Train Station (2.7 miles)
• Lirr - Farmingdale Station (3.7 miles)
• LIRR - Wantagh Station (4.8 miles)
• Lirr - Babylon Station (5.1 miles)

Physicians

• Maxine S. Postal Clinic (0.6 miles)
• Di Giovanna Family Care Center (2.8 miles)
• Babylon Medical Practice (4.6 miles)
• Neuralphysiologic Associates (5 miles)
• The Center for Eye Care and Optical (5.5 miles)
• Caring Pediatric Associates (5.9 miles)
• Central Nassau Guidance (6.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• New Hope Institutional Baptist Church (0.6 miles)
• Merrick Jewish Center (6.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (1.3 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (2.9 miles)
• Houlihan's (2.9 miles)
• PDQ 351 (3.1 miles)
• All American Hamburger Drive In (3.2 miles)
• McDonald's (3.3 miles)
• McDonald's (3.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• Babylon Bean-Coffee Extreme (5.1 miles)
• Starbucks (6.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.9 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Ua Farmingdale (3 miles)
• AMC DINE-IN Levittown 1 (5.3 miles)
• Regal Deer Park & IMAX (8.1 miles)

Parks

• Bethpage State Park (4.4 miles)
• Argyle Lake Park (4.7 miles)
• Tad Lane Park (6.3 miles)
• Newbridge Road Park (6.4 miles)
• Newbridge Dog Park (6.5 miles)
• Jones Beach State Park (7.2 miles)
• Eisenhower Park (8.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Nassau University Medical Center (7.6 miles)