Madam, – With a recent experience of A & E in Beaumont Hospital, I am absolutely appalled to hear that 52 beds are to be closed (Home News, May 6th).
My severely autistic son was brought in with a lump of chicken lodged in his gullet. He was labelled emergency. Having sat in a wheelchair from 9pm on Tuesday, May 4th until 11am on May 5th, he was finally (with begging from me) taken to theatre for surgery to remove the blockage. A & E was packed. Some people were waiting almost two days for attention.
How can the HSE justify this action? Surely there could be a reduction of expenses elsewhere rather than penalising the vulnerable and suffering? The kindness and care of the staff cannot be faulted. However, will there have to be deaths in A & E before this injustice is righted? – Yours, etc,