ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY: Why after years of growth and high health insurance must we still have a level of care that dates back to the 1970s, asks Mary Brady
The conditions to which very ill patients including myself were subjected in the Accident and Emergency department of a Dublin hospital recently were, in my view, totally unacceptable. The place was in an appalling state and the shortage of personnel blatantly obvious.
On the first admission arranged by my efficient and kind GP, I waited with other patients while in very severe pain and on a saline drip for several hours for admission - having been diagnosed with a serious infection and very high temperature.
I was in fear of further deterioration in this horrifying place. There is not enough space to describe the gruesome experiences endured by myself and others.
Sympathy must be conveyed to the kind doctors, nurses and all who work in this short-staffed department to the point of exhaustion and beyond while waiting for what was, thank heavens, an up-to-date, hygienic, pleasant ward and subsequently a room in the new wing of the hospital.
Once there, the efficiency and kindness were second to none. Shortly afterwards, I was discharged to recover at home. Further tests were recommended as an out-patient. Unfortunately, while at home I became very ill again about two days later and re-admission was necessary. The same unbearable procedure had to be endured in what will now be abbreviated to what happened in this A & E department:
I waited while in severe pain from 10.30 a.m. until 2.30 p.m. the following morning before a bed was made available. This particular experience could not but be embedded in my memory for the rest of my life.
My husband and brother did everything possible to comfort me, my sister-in-law likewise. Under no circumstances would I allow them to suffer further and asked them to leave. I tried to reassure them that I would, please God, be re-admitted very soon. My husband asked me to promise that this time I would not allow myself to be discharged until I felt ready to leave.
Before they left, they were evidently worried, exhausted, quietly angry and although they tried to hide this I sensed there was something else wrong. My arm was slowly swelling and my body was still in severe pain, I suddenly realised why they were leaving the trolley in turns every few minutes. They noticed, as did I, the drip was not working and they were trying to find someone to put it right.
Eventually after what felt like an eternity an available staff member arrived to remove the needle from the swollen, bruised and painful right arm and insert another into the not quite as bruised arm so that the drip could operate again. Why does precious time need to be taken up yet again to repeat that only a fraction of the extreme wealth of this country is required to update our hospital facilities?
Is the Department of Health sure that those affected Irish people, indeed this civilised population, are not outraged sufficiently to revolt? Is another reminder needed that there is a price to be paid for this or any kind of complacency? The simple answer is yes.
There are good politicians out there. But for those who appear to have no compassion or the slightest feeling of care, please try to put yourselves and your loved ones in the position of very ill people and of those who like me pay extremely expensive health insurance premiums for what should surely by now be an up-to-date efficient service, but are unfortunate victims of these appalling conditions. There is insufficient space for their signatures.
I must not be afraid any longer to speak out on behalf of the thousands upon thousands of people in this A & E unit; in other districts and regions who have experienced such suffering in the hands of the health services. There has been so much suffering that I am not afraid any longer of being "blacklisted" or worse.
I experienced these same conditions on at least four occasions since the late 1970s. Therefore, it would be morally wrong for me to remain silent, not just as an Irish citizen but as one who studied hard for degrees in the social sciences and other subjects. As far back as the late 1970s and early 1980s, having undergone major surgery, similar conditions existed. These led to serious infections and were brought to the attention of the appropriate people. Again, it must be stressed the surgeon in my case was extremely efficient, sympathetic and exemplary in every respect. Staff could not have been kinder and everything possible was done to improve hygiene for a long-term stay, despite similar conditions in which they were obliged to work as now.
A good part of my life continues to be spent travelling the world, observing health services which are superb in most EU countries and in many parts of the globe. Sadly, conditions in highly populated Third World countries, in some tropical islands and in other underdeveloped parts of the globe are similar to here.
Shame on Irish health services, to allow any patient to suffer in this way. How long more will it be necessary to continue to bring home to the Government that such conditions in this very wealthy country are inexcusable?
Mary Brady is a sociologist who is pursuing post graduate studies - she lives in Castleknock, Co Dublin.