Sir, - Public perception counts for a lot in society. Reputations can be lost on an ill-founded opinion that gains currency.
A regrettable aspect of this strike has been the disproportionate focus on the position adopted by nurses at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. They were the subject of intense scrutiny in the print and broadcast media and I have heard many people wonder in astonishment that nurses could be so derelict of duty to sick children.
I worked at Crumlin as a Chaplain for almost seven years and I would say that, notwithstanding personal differences, everyone who works there were united behind the concept of absolute dedication to the needs of sick children and their families. With regard to the nursing staff I cannot say enough in praise of their professionalism, decency and common humanity. Their commitment to care was such that they were frequently detained on duty on account of emergencies or because a child had died and they wanted to support a family or simply due to the fact that staff were so hard pressed that help was needed.
I know of very few parents who would contradict me when I say that nurses at Crumlin regularly do more than is reasonably expected. I have seen nurses, who have been judged by some to be short-changing acutely ill children, anticipate emergencies and take action that saved lives. These same men and women know what an emergency is and would not pass it by. They deserve recognition for what they are and I am proud to support them. - Yours, etc.,
Colm L. Humphries, Clontarf, Dublin 3.