Dr Claude Calandra

This Doctor killed one of my twin boys. I tried to take him to court but all he got was a slap on the wrist. He had to do a bed side manner course and a course on high risk pregnancies. DO NOT USE HIM IF YOU WANT YOUR BABY TO LIVE!!!

I met Dr Calandra first time in June 1993 in St Albans clinic. I had 2 laparoscopies for endometriosis one in 1995 and the second in 1997. Always took the time to explain everything to me prior to the laparoscopies and after. After that, I visited him every few years just for a checkup. However, in 2018 went to see him for an emergency as another DR could not decide what was happening, immediately that DR Calandra took over my emergency was solved within days, and since then no problem, I would not change him for any other DR, he always came through for me. Can not fault him.

My wife and I had a visit with him for miscarriage and he referred us to his private hospital and charged fortunes.
I had a same miscarriage because of medical reason second time which was same as first one referred to mercy and 1 single tablet works for me.
Please please stay away with him.

Yesterday I got to talking about my first baby in born June 2005. Dr Calandra never ended up delivering my baby boy because I was overweight and I decided at the last minute I wanted the option of an epidural if needed so I chose to go to the woman’s hospital. I knew the whole pregnancy that if I did not lose weight he may not deliver my baby yet he still kept me as a patient. He is a fabulous doctor, direct, straight to the point and cares about the babies welfare above all. He looked after my aftercare at Werribee Hospital and when he first met my son he pulled him out of the pram and kissed him. My ex-husband and I have never forgotten this - for someone who has seen babies everyday for 30 years I was touched by this and after talking about this just yesterday I decided I wanted to go and search him and write a review. He does not sugar coat anything but is very thorough and has a heart of gold underneath it all. Yes he is funny and absolutely knows what he is doing. I wish him well and may God bless him and cover him with peace with all the nasty people who want to be treated like princesses and not just appreciate the really good doctor that he is! Thanks Dr Calandra. aka Mrs Cor-cor-an lol.

If it wasn't for Dr Calandra, I would still be bouncing around gynaecologists getting misdiagnosed continuously and being told that I am hyper sensitive to period pain.
Dr Calandra recognised my symptoms as a bladder issue straight away and confirmed diagnosis with surgery within 3 weeks. I have since seen Dr Callandra for treatments and I will remain forever grateful that he tells it how it is, is willing to think outside the box and continually invests in the search for new solutions.
If you want your hand held or your issues sugar coated, then he isn't the Dr for you. If you want straight up advise and a man that genuinely cares about medicinal & surgical advances (even when they might not be the popular suggestion), then go see him.
Expect to wait every time, but most visits are bulk billed so you win some and you loose some.

Rude, dismissive, forceful, has had multiple lawsuits that get 'paid out' so it does not effect his 'professional reputation'.. ie ability to practice. Would not trust him to treat a dog! The doctor of absolute last resort! Known by nurses in hospital as 'the butcher'. I had the unfortunate experience of having a laproscope performed by this man and when I was not recovering as expected he called me '" wuss". I have since been diagnosed with a blood disorder called Von Willebrands disease type 1, which means I do not clot properly or heal properly after surgery without appropriate drug intervention to make my body clot properly. He mentioned that I 'bled' during surgery but no further assistance offered. Had to figure out why myself. When I declined further surgery his arrogant response was, "You'll be back".
Fat chance! Never again! Never, never, never!!!

Had Claude Caloundra as my obstetrician for my first child. Was ok, although quite rude, on visits during my pregnancy - first time Mum @ age 33. Problems arose during the birth. My son was a forceps birth - Claude was impatient and wanted to get away quickly, absolutely rammed the forceps in, tearing me and causing me the most incredible pain, the labour had been bearable until then. About four weeks after the birth, when the swelling finally went down and the pain eased enough to be able to properly investigate my vagina, I felt a quite papery sensation. Went to my GP who extracted the sterile pad that had been left in my vagina from the birth. My GP advised that I was very lucky that I didn't get an infection that left me sterile. He advised I should bring this up with Claude at my six week check up. When I did, Claude was very quickly extremely dismissive, passing blame onto the nurses. I wouldn't recommend Claude to anyone [redacted]

Dr Calandra delivered both our children in 1983 and 1986.Two years ago he delivered my grand daughter. We couldn't have been happier.

My partner and I decided for circumcision for our infant son and was recommended Dr Calandra from our Maternal & Child Health nurse Dominique. He was friendly, even made a few jokes and had a laugh with us. My sons little willy looks fantastic and I'm very pleased overall.

Approximate cost: $350

I am 62 yrs of age. I have been ref to Dr Calandra for Bowel and Vagina surgery. I went to this site to look up his address and ph no. I was thrilled he was still around. in 1977 I was in the del rm at Footscray Hosp. I was in labour for 11 hours. I had contractions, but my baby was distressed. I was going to lose him. My local Dr was going to do the birth, but because of unforseen problems, plus it was to late to have a cesear, & I was going to lose my baby, he called in Dr Calandra. He came/ did a professional job and left. I was so thrilled I had my baby and all went well. Reading some of your comments, honestly???? Tell me - If you want to buy meat, you go to a butcher. If you want a massage you wouldn't go to the butcher would you? So, if you want bed mannars and someone to make you feel good, hire a carer to stand beside you giving birth and let Dr Calandra do what he is meant to do! When he leaves and you have the baby in your arms and take it for granted that all goes well all the time, you can then go back to having the carer make you feel good. What the hell do some of you expect?? Later, I went on to have Dr Calandra give birth to my other 2 preg. I thank him for being a professional at his job, not waste time making me feel good. I had my family for that. Now, I haven't seen him for 30 yrs, but I look fwd to cing him, to fix my Bowel and Vagina. I'm sure he is still a professional as I'm staying away from that butcher shop!

Just a quick question. I know his not bulk bill but how much is the gap that u have to pay? And dose Medicare pay for any?

As a first time older mum I was referred to Claude via the Werribee Mercy. I had no knowledge of gynae/obs in my area. In fact, I found these types of specialist doctors few and far between in the western suburbs. Also all my girlfriends lived in the eastern suburbs so I couldn't use word of mouth to help me out. I found Claude a wonderful doctor. I don't suffer fools and therefore found Claude's straight forward approach suited my personality. My husband and I found Claude very easy to get along with and appreciated his warped sense of humour. Claude delivered our beautiful baby girl via emergency caesar without issue. My recovery was speedy - so much so that I left hospital 3 days later and had my stitches out on the 4th day. Penny is also wonderful and she compliments Claude's brusque nature (if you think he has one). Yes, the wait times were long but understandable if he was called away to deliver a baby. I would call prior to my appointment and would delay my arrival at his surgery if he was running late. If you are serious about having a happy and healthy pregnancy and want a doctor who isn't going to blow sunshine up your backside when things may not be going well then don't see Claude. But if you are interested in what happens to you and your baby then you couldn't find a better doctor.

Approximate cost: $400

I had Dr Calandra as my OB for my first delivery. Having no cue about obstetricians, I just chose him to be my OB as a friend of mine referred him as good...Despite many unfortunate birthstories of Dr Calandra, I went ahead for the first appointment..the clinic was not any fancy thing...it is an old house and furnished at its bare minimum...Believe me I was not impressed.....It is quite true that he is not one of those docs who will try to please you or soothe you out of pain....after couple of appointments..my feeling was that he is among those docs who are highly skilled and dedicated to provide service to the community for a very reasonable or rather lowest fee. He is very frank...I was 40 weeks and still did not get any pains ...he tried to break my waters but I could not handle it...so he was very angry about it....but infact whatever he said at that time was true...However by God's grace, my waters broke next day and I was induced...He was there at the right time and was very joyous....he did my delivery very quickly and the STITCHES were amazing....they healed in about 2 weeks time....THANKS a lot to Dr Calandra and he is a very skilled doctor......All I can say is Don't judge the book by its cover....also mistakes do happen unfortunately by great people...but that's not the whole story....

Dr Calandra is an extremely busy professional, he services a lot of hospitals in the western sunurbs.I had my first two sets of twins at East Melbourne with Dr Rasmassen,and Chow, I thought I would never be able to find someone in their class and high stead when I moved over this side of the city.
I had heard mixed reviews about Dr Calandra, and being a big person felt a little intimidated at first at his straightforwardness, but he is an amazing person and in 7weeks he will be performing my 5th c-section and delivering my 7th child.I am worried about the ammount of c-sections I have had,but have complete unquestionable faith in Dr Calandra.My 6th c-section I was walking straight the very next day,old fashioned staples i think is his secret.
I have read so many reviews on the internet about this Doctor, and I think it's appalling I don't know when this man sleeps,as for the waiting time, when it's your turn and he takes time to check your health,and your child's,that's what he is doing for many others whilst you are waiting.
Doctor Calandra you are a great man to do what you do.THANK YOU.

Had surgery with Dr Calandra recently and he was fantastic. Have had very little pain post op and instead of large incision one Dr said i would need Dr Calandra carried out procedure with laproscopy so I have minimal scarring. His staff are incredibly helpful. The treatment I received was excellent.

Dr Calandra operated on me at Sunshine Hospital 22/04/10 I had Bladder & Vaginal repair surgery. I woke up with NO pain (not even requiring panadol) Left hospital 3 days later and have been to my DR and everything has healed great. I think Dr Calandra is a miracle worker, first time I have'nt had to wear pads in 19 years. I would recommend him to my friends as my friends recomended him to me. He is a highly skilled surgeon and I am very thankful he was my surgeon.

Approximate cost: $public

I found that Dr Calandra does things very fast, he wants you in and out as quick as possible. I don't feel all that comfortable asking question etc and the wait time is at least 2 hours each visit. Apart from that apparently he is a great Dr and highly recommended although i have not had my baby yet, so far i would suggest seeing someone else if possible.

Approximate cost: $400

Dr Colandra filled in for my obstetrician with the birth of my first child. He had no bedside manner but that was because there was no previous connection. I was induced by choice and when the baby finally decided he was coming Dr Colandra was there at 2am to oversee his arrival. Just after giving birth my baby stopped breathing so Colandra stopped stitching me up and spent the next 5 minutes resuscitating him. It was because of his extreme professionalism that my little boy is here today and the reason I chose him for the (thankfully much easier) birth of my little girl. His people skills are much better the second time arround. First time mothers need to know the do's and don'ts it might not be what you want to hear but it is necessary for both mother and babies health. He is blunt but don't take it to heart he has a quirky sense of humour.

I may be bias in some way as I have known Dr C from an early age when he first was our family doctor. He has delivered my first child and I'm now onto my second and wouldn't change my OB Gynea even with all the horror stories I've heard.
You may think the man has no sense of humour (it's warped! trust me he can be quite funny), Is very rude (he tells you as it is, if you're fat your fat! face it, why sugar coat it!) and if you don't ask the questions how's he suppose to answer them. And Yes! he may be rough with his bedside manner, but his main priority is the baby's welfare.
Think about it seriously! would you rather see someone who has a great personality and knows absolutely nothing about women's issues. Or the wet fish who has spent a majority of his life focusing and mastering his talent on women's issues. I know who I'de want to see........

If you want a Doctor that is going to gush over you and be excited for you about the fact that you are pregnant, and give you advice and be your mentor and your guide, then don't go to Dr Calandra. HOWEVER, if you want a Dr that is to the point, doesn't muck around, is EXCELLENT in emergencies and above all is THE best Dr to have in case of an emergency, then Dr Calandra is definitely the one to go to. People say his bedside manner is terrible, but that is only because he doesn't engage you in conversation. His only priority os to make sure your baby is safe and healthy, not that you feel all warm and fuzzy.
There are long waiting periods, but that is because Dr Calandra has a LOT of patients...and the reason that he has a LOT of patients...is because he is the BEST IN THE FIELD. You may wait for ages because he has had to go out and deliver a baby, but that should be expected, as without a doubt women will be left waiting in his surgery when you go into labour!
I absolutely recommend him as the best Dr to deliver your child. I had my first one with him and will have my 2nd one with him in January. I feel comfortable and completely confident in his abilities.

Dr Claude Calandra was absolutely rude when i saw him as a pregnant patient, he did not speak to me about my pregnancy at all but rambled off a list of demands that he wanted done/changed before next visit. I never saw him again! Even seeing him as a Dr with my Mother inlaw he was extremely late, hadn't read her file prior. Took 10 mins to retrieve her file and was absolutely rude again in giving her results.

firstly, very long wait times. quite an offputting manner, he does not possess great people skills. however he is an excellent . i went through three pregnancies with him as my obstetrician and found that as time went by i was able to become more comfortable with him, after this he became much friendlier and easier to deal with.

As a first time mum He was not as expected. No people skills whatso ever and doesn't explain much at all. However he is an excellent Dr and is very very experienced. Expect VERY long waiting times. Best to call before you go and find out just how long the wait is going to be. His wife/receptionist Penny is BRILLIANT