Madam, - Having spent time in two different hospitals recently, I have experienced at first hand the work of nurses. In both hospitals the nurses were not only professional, but kind, good-humoured, and treated each patient as an individual, catering for their specific needs and requirements.
They arrived before their appointed time, and usually departed after their hours were up - thereby ensuring that all necessary, up-to-the-minute information regarding individual patients was passed on to their colleagues coming on duty. Every one of the nurses, who cared for me contributed in no small way to my speedy recovery from major surgery.
I have no doubt that my experience is replicated by thousands of ex-patients all over the country.
I think it is time that we ex-patients nailed our colours to the mast in support of the nurses, and let the Minister and the HSE know that "bench-marking" and "cost neutral" are poor criteria when evaluating the dedicated, humane service provided by the nurses in our hospitals.
- Yours, etc,
LIAM CURHAM, The Folly, Waterford.