Sick of waiting: a carer’s story

I AM a full-time carer (with my own disability) looking after my 91-year-old disabled father, a stroke sufferer since August 2000.

Recently I had to call a doctor at 2am as he was greatly agitated and had a high temperature. I feared a relapse of the pneumonia he had suffered last August).

My father was admitted to Cork University Hospital between 3am and 3.30am and was put on a trolley. I stayed with him until 7.30am, and when I left he was frightened and very distressed.