Having recently been sent to Letterkenny University Hospital by my GP for a scan following abdominal pain, it was with a certain amount of trepidation I arrived at LUH at midday on the Tuesday, hoping to be back home that evening.

However, that was not to be. As it transpired, I spent three nights in hospital as nurses, doctors and consultants monitored me to decide whether or not I needed surgery, thankfully I did not.

Despite everything we hear about care in Irish hospitals these days, I feel it only fair to write this letter in absolute praise of the multitude of wonderful caring staff who looked after me despite their being extremely busy. From the friendly, helpful receptionists at the Emergency Department who explained what would happen and that I would be seen in turn, to the friendly, pleasant staff who provided tea, sandwiches/buns to the many people waiting in the ED and their relatives accompanying them, free of charge and, lifting everyone’s mood. It was a lovely gesture which recognised that patients and their relatives were waiting quite a while. After eight hours I got my scan and the decision was made to admit me with the possibility of surgery the following morning.

The doctors, nurses, phlebotomists, auxiliaries took all the time required to explain to me what was happening and why, answering the many questions I had.

After a long fast and multiple intravenous antibiotics and painkillers I was allowed to go home on the Friday with a prescription for more antibiotics, feeling much better. A nutritionist came to my bedside to explain what foods I should avoid to prevent a repetition of the flare up, which caused the problem.

So for all the negative stories we read about our hospitals, (and I too have written some in the past), I am full of praise for the staff at LUH and thank them for their excellent care.

And to those who take issue with people in Ireland of different ethnicity, if we were to lose the non-national staff from LUH, I doubt the hospital could function at all!

Yours,

Kate Heaney