Madam, - I returned recently from a New Year visit to the beautiful city of Copenhagen. While there, I inadvertently ate some food containing nuts, causing the severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock.
I presented myself at the A&E department of the nearest hospital as quickly as possible. By the time I arrived there, I could barely talk, but I managed to convey the seriousness of my problem to the nurse who saw me immediately on my arrival.
Within one minute I was in a spotlessly clean room, receiving oxygen; and the various other treatments necessary to offset the affects of the allergic attack were administered to me within another couple of minutes.
After my condition was brought under control, I was constantly checked and monitored by two nurses and a doctor, all of whom were Danish and spoke perfect English.
That evening, the doctor advised that I should stay overnight, and I was transferred to my own room in the main hospital. Then there followed numerous tests to ensure my allergic reaction was being kept at bay.
After a peaceful night, I was awakened the following morning by a particularly lovely Scandinavian nurse. She gave me a menu from which I was to choose my breakfast: fresh fruit, tea, toast, Danish ham, etc.
The doctor came to see me and gave me the "all-clear", together with a computer print-out of the entire history of my treatment, literally in minute detail, and also a fully detailed letter for my Irish doctor.
There was no charge to me for all this as "healthcare is free in Denmark", according to the nurse. A taxi was called for me, and my nurse brought me out to the taxi, gave me a handshake, a hug, and a cheery goodbye! I am using this letter to express my gratitude to those who looked after me in the Fredriksberg Hospital, and to express the hope that the response in Irish hospitals might be equal to that which I experienced in Denmark.
- Yours, etc,
SIMON BALL, Beechpark Road, Foxrock, Dublin 18.