Experience Compassionate Care for Patients & Visitors at Southcoast Health

No matter your reason for coming to Southcoast Health, we want your experience to be positive. It is important to us that you know our team is committed to the care of our patients, as well as supportive of visitors and their unique needs.

Whether you are staying at Charlton Memorial Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital or Tobey Hospital, or are a patient at one of our physician practices, we do everything we can to make your time at Southcoast comfortable. From our doctors to our staff, you can trust us to provide exceptional care, plus something more — a personal touch.

If you have questions or would like to provide feedback, please contact us or speak to your nurse or doctor, and we will promptly address your needs. Explore the resources listed below to improve your visit or stay.

Supporting Hospital Patients & Visitors in MA

Both patients and visitors in Fall River, New Bedford and Wareham, MA can benefit from:

• Patient forms, including requesting medical records
• Visiting hours and policies
• Important information on how to pay your bills
• On-site gift shops at all three hospitals
• Cafeterias and smaller fare options

You can also read our patient handbook to learn more about what to expect as a patient or visitor.

Learn more about our Patient & Family Advisory Council.

At Southcoast, we seek to offer high-quality medical services, as well as look after the well-being of patients, visitors and our community. Let us know what we can do for you as a hospital patient or visitor.

Advance Medical Directive

Medical experts recommend speaking with your doctor and family members about your preferences for end-of-life care. A legal document called an advance medical directive (also known as a living will) does two things: 

1. Should you become too sick to express your wishes, it ensures that you have control over the type of health care you receive 
2. Spares your loved ones the anguish of making life-or-death choices on your behalf during heightened stress 

An Advance Medical Directive is one form of leaving instructions for treatment. Another form is a specific type of power of attorney or health care proxy. These legal documents designate a person the authority to make decisions on our behalf in the event you lose the ability to speak for yourself.

Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLSTs)

MOLST is intended for patients with severe health conditions whom:

• Want to avoid or receive any or all life-sustaining treatment;
• Reside in a long-term care facility or require long-term care services; and/or terminally ill 
• Desires to spare loved ones the anguish of making life-or-death choices on your behalf during heightened stress 

A patient can establish a directive with the help of a lawyer or through their living will. The first step is to designate a trusted health care proxy authorized to make decisions on your behalf in the event you lose the ability to speak for yourself.  

Talk to your doctor about advance directives. Get forms from your doctor or download them below. Online resources include Mass.gov and RI.gov. Share the completed document with your doctor to place in your chart.

MA MOLST Form and Instructions

RI Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare

Healthcare Proxy

Learn about the Massachusetts Health Care Proxy from the Massachusetts Medical Society and what it means for you.

Feedback, Compliments and Concerns

Southcoast welcomes all concerns and compliments regarding the service you received as a patient. Please call the Southcoast Hotline at 877-264-7244 or fill out this form.

Southcoast Health provides supportive care for patients and visitors in Fall River, New Bedford and Wareham, MA at our hospitals.