Madam, – Two weeks ago, having rung my GP to inquire about getting the swine flu vaccine for my 18-month-old son with cystic fibrosis (CF), I was faced with the news we would have to attend one of the HSE clinics.
This left me with shivers down my spine, as first, we would have to enter a hospital/clinic to receive the vaccine and second, we would be faced with unknown factors such as crowds, waiting rooms, etc.
On Monday when I went online to see where we had to go I was very impressed with the fact I could book the clinic online, but worried what lay ahead as we had to attend Naas General Hospital, which I knew nothing about.
On Thursday morning we arrived at our allowed time, and while my mother waited with my son in the car park, I took a deep breath and entered the hospital expecting to be faced with a queue.
Instead I was greeted by a team of highly organised nurses who on hearing my son had CF, told me I would be seen immediately and they had only that morning done a test run in expectation of dealing with cases like ours.
When I say this brought a tear to my eye I am not joking. I have for months now been avoiding crowds, shops and pharmacies etc for fear my son would catch swine flu and here I was almost at the finish line and instead of having yet another battle on my hands – as I had expected – I had people there to hold our hands and tell us everything would be okay.
My son was quickly and efficiently brought down secluded corridors to an isolation area and within five minutes the vaccine had been administered. We waited for 15 minutes to see that he was all right, and every three minutes a friendly faced popped in to see if we were okay. To say we were okay was an understatement: the relief I cannot explain.
I want to thank the HSE and the community nurses that were there for providing the most wonderful service. As a mother who constantly watches the likes of Orla Tinsley campaign for these basic human rights for our children, it was so lovely for once to see things run as they should be, and for that I am truly grateful. – Yours, etc,
RUTH CAHILL,
Newtown Court,
Maynooth,
Kildare.