Madam, - I've just spent my 73rd birthday in the Mater Hospital. I had my gall bladder removed. I had the choice of private or public and I chose the latter. From start to finish I was treated with the greatest kindness and care by very dedicated staff. Doctors, nurses, caterers, cleaners - all were kind, caring and heroic. Just before tea on my birthday the staff walked in and presented me with a birthday cake; this was out of their own time and pockets. How wonderful was that?
During my two-week stay I saw where the money Mary Harney is squandering should be going. Here is the HSE as I saw it.
All ward staff are hopelessly underpaid for the work they do. All wards are understaffed. Too much time and money is wasted on those who refuse to stop smoking. In private practice a doctor will say: Give up the cigarettes or I won't deal with you. This should be standard practice in the public hospitals also.
Management in the HSE is top heavy; cut out the dross. Remember that when the religious ran our hospitals there were no queues, no MRSA, and for a long time no Government money. They worked out of a spiritual love for those they cared for. Today's ward staffs have that same motivating love although they may see it in a different light.
So to the Government I say that there is no problem with our health service that you can't fix -- today! Crop away all those highly- paid managers who never even see patients, and put the money where it is needed - into the wards!
And to Mary Harney, Brian Lenihan and Brian Cowen my final word is: if you don't believe me, go in today and have your gall bladders removed. - Yours, etc,