Public patients shouldn’t be forced to wait while private beds are empty

At the end of the day the needs of people who are in pain have to trump vested interests, writes Fergus Finlay.

I’VE had to attend to my health over the past few months. As a consequence, I’ve spent a reasonable amount of time in and out of hospital. The first thing I have to report is a positive experience of the health service, and a good outcome so far. I know that’s not what you’re used to hearing, but the truth is, my experience was a good one.

There’s been a lot of poking and prodding, and the things that happen to men as they’re getting on in years frequently involve indignity and loss of privacy, but all of it was in my best interests (or so I kept telling myself, anyway).