Trolley patient lauds staff battling against odds

I WOULD like to express my heartfelt thanks to, and admiration for, the emergency ambulance team and staff at Cork University Hospital.

My husband David and I had just arrived from England by ferry for a car rally and were staying in Youghal when I was suddenly taken very ill at 9.30pm with a suspected stroke.

My husband contacted the emergency services (with much help from Monica and Aidan Yeomans, our B&B hosts for the night).

The ambulance crew were wonderful and very caring and decided to take me to Cork University Hospital (CUH).

While I do not remember their arrival or the journey, David was very impressed with their response.

The staff at CUH were wonderful despite having to work in very difficult conditions, in addition to their dispute with the HSE and the Government. There was no lack of care and attention. My special thanks to Dr Catherine Peters and Dr Brian Sweeney in neurology and all the medical and nursing staff in emergency.

I’m sorry to say at the time I was not a good patient as I was appalled at the conditions in which the patients were kept and the doctors and nurses had to work. I was on a trolley in a corridor — along with many others — and had to be examined in full view of everybody. All very embarrassing and the last thing one wants when felling so ill.

I really do not know how the staff cope and yet remain so caring, kind and friendly at all times. I feel they are badly let down by the powers-that-be. They should not have had to resort to industrial action which goes against everything they have trained for.

Kathleen Skinner

12 Third Ave

Frinton-on-Sea

Essex

England