Patient survey - Patients’ lack of knowledge alarming

FURTHER damning evidence, if it were needed, of the glaring inadequacies of Ireland’s ailing health service are exposed in a major survey of patients unveiled yesterday by Health Minister Mary Harney.

Hot on the heels of the recent report on dirty hospitals where the deadly MRSA bug could flourish comes further evidence of poor hand-washing practices, cancelled operations, and proof that almost half the patients in the 26 hospitals surveyed received no details about the side effects of medicines prescribed to them in hospital.

It is alarming that doctors are not telling patients about the side effects of medication. All too often, people are intimidated from asking questions which could be vital for their well being.