Patients better served in smaller hospitals

THE proposed merger of the Mercy and South Infirmary hospitals in Cork is not a good idea.

When the announcement was made recently I was a patient in the Mercy where I received fantastic care from consultant Dr Niall Brennan and his team, as well as nursing and domestic staff and ward attendants. To all of them I am most grateful.

I spoke to various staff members about the proposed merger and, to my surprise, all said they knew nothing about it. Do they not have any say?

The Mercy is 150 years old this year and it has served the people of the region very well over that time.

I believe that from the patient’s viewpoint, small hospitals are best. The atmosphere is friendlier and staff are able to give greater care and attention to the patient.

The Mercy is a classic example of this — as I can attest.

And what is to become of the complex with all its new facilities built at enormous expense in recent years?

Are we about to witness another criminal waste of taxpayers’ money? The Mercy and its fantastic staff deserve better. The HSE and its political masters should leave well enough alone.

David McGrath

21 Hillcrest Rise

Blarney Road

Cork