This review is for the Emergency Department in particular.
I gotta say I'm impressed. I went in through main reception and they pleasantly directed me to the right area. Once in the hospital part, everyone was lovely. When I reached the ER, it was calm quiet and only 2 other people were there waiting.
My details were taken, a wrist band was placed on me and I waited on a chair for all of 4 minutes. I was then seen by a nurse who took all the particulars of the problem, asked me a whole lot of questions. She took my temp, not with any old archaic mechanism..she waved what I can only assume is a tricorder in front of my forehead!! She then took me to a room with a bed and fancy machines.
This was no trolly with a curtain. A full fledged bed (very comfy as well) in a proper room with walls and a sliding frosted glass door. (open and closed by hand motions..I felt I was on the USS Enterprise!) I was given a nice soft cotton gown, fairly decent for a hospital gown and was told they were going to give me an ECG.
The nurse arrived about 10 mins later and he was absolutely lovely. Did the ECG, then went saying someone would come for bloods shorty. About 10 mins later, yes, the nurse arrived to take blood. She kept me chatting and although she had some difficulty in getting anything from me (I'm hard to get blood from) I'm delighted to report that I've barely a mark from it. My GP usually makes a balls of it and I have bruises everywhere from it.
The ECG guy arrived back a few minutes later to take me to xray. Again, very pleasant chap. The xray person was so nice as well.
Back in my room, I waited maybe 20 minutes for the Dr. He came in, seen me, and said as long as my bloods came back OK I could go home. 10 minutes later the results were in and I could go.
From the time I walked in the door, until I walked out: 2 hours.
Can you imagine if I'd have gone elsewhere? A few years back I was sent to ER elsewhere by a Dr, I had to wait 4 hours just to get a nurse to speak with me. Then another 2 hours for the Dr to see me. I used to work in a hospital for a bit, the number of people waiting over 2 days to be tested and seen by a Dr was frightening.
I know people sneer at the cost, and its a shame they have a review of 1 star because of their parking charges, but what value do you put on your health? I know people who spend more on dinner and drinks than a visit here costs. Everyone has their priorities, mine is this. Ireland has created this 2 tier system, thankfully I have the capacity to pay.
For full disclosure, I paid 140 euros to attend and the ECG, X-rays and full bloodwork came to 240. 380 in total. Totally worth every penny. If I needed to, I'd take a out loan to go again if I had to. read more