Sir, – Having just read Dr Muiris Houston’s piece about kindness (Health+Family, October 31st) and your article mentioning Lettertkenny hospital, I feel obliged to write to you.
Whilst walking a costal path in the beautiful Rosguill Peninsula in Co Donegal recently, I slipped and fell awkwardly. A surprisingly audible crack, searing right leg pain and a deformed thigh spelt trouble.
I was within a moment rendered completely helpless. I phoned 112 and the excellent call handler calmly took details and within minutes members of the local coastguard left their homes to be at my side.
They, with the help of a paramedic crew, carried me several hundred metres to a waiting ambulance. My dog was placed in their care, seeing her tail wagging as I left the scene was most comforting.
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The paramedics were marvellous, even staying with me in the busy A&E corridor until I could be seen by a doctor. That evening I was admitted to the orthopaedic ward to await surgery. From my arrival to A&E on Sunday to my discharge on Thursday, my stay in Letterkenny hospital was a very positive experience.
Spending several nights in a busy, fully occupied ward you get first-hand to experience the demands on nursing and medical staff. I marvelled at their endless patience. Throughout the nights with unfailing politeness and gentleness, the nurses ministered to several confused, restless and demanding patients in my ward.
By day I enjoyed excellent food served always with a smile. I ate like a king! The orthopaedic team were excellent seeing me daily as I awaited various scans before operation.
Dr Houston’s article ends by quoting the poet and activist Maya Angelou: “At the end of the day, people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.”
So to the guys from coastguard/ambulance service/A&E staff/porters/X-ray staff/orthopaedic ward medical and nursing, catering and cleaning team/and the reassuring and calming staff in surgical theatre, may I say thank you. You all made me feel secure, valued, involved and listened to throughout.
I was privileged to have been in your care. – Yours, etc,
Dr FRED MacSORLEY (retired),
Portadown, Co Armagh.