Sir, – Having recently attended as a patient at two of our public hospitals, I feel that I must respond to the totally negative media coverage of our healthcare system.
Listening to and reading media reports one would think that we had a faltering, dysfunctional service, one that was not serving the people well. Yet what I found was something totally different.
Both hospitals teemed with patients, some of whom were critically ill, and others like myself who were suffering minor injuries. Each patient was dealt with courteously and in as timely a fashion as possible. The staff – whether it be receptionists, radiographers, nurses or doctors, were friendly, professionally efficient and calm; in spite of the fact that they had to deal with a great number of patients.
It is high time that credit is given where credit is due. We have hospitals that provide excellent care. There is, of course, always room for improvement. But let’s stop constantly “knocking” and realise how fortunate we are to have such a good service and work together to make it even better. – Yours, etc,
KAY FINN
Doon,
Rathronan,
Clonmel,
Co Tipperary.