Caring for hospital patients

A chara, – It was with great dismay that I read Ann Marie Hourihane’s piece on the Irish health service (Opinion, April 22nd). While all of us who work within the service realise and admit there are problems and difficulties, the article fails to acknowledge that these shortfalls are a reflection of a system stretched to its very limits.

Doctors, nurses and allied health professionals in this country display dedication and commitment to the care of their patients at all times. If, on occasion, they cannot spend as long as they would like with each patient, it is because to do so would take time away from another. It strikes me as particularly insensitive to use the tragic loss of Savita Halappanavar as a backdrop for the airing of personal grievances. – Is mise ,

Dr SHANE CONSIDINE

MRCSI,

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Sir John Rogerson Quay,

Dublin 2.