Sick Children: I want you to do this Mary Harney.

[cakeordeath]

I want Mary Harney to turn up to A & E at 11.40 pm with a sick child,just to see it first hand - In a public hospital.
I want her to sleep on the floor beside a sick child on the pediatric ward.
I want her to sleep beside a stranger( another parent) literally side by side without room to place a sliver of paper between the two fold out wooden 'beds'.
I want her to go find a nurse because a child line has come out. I want them to tell her 'We are busy , we have a special'. I want her to wait 2 hours before the line can be changed. She can comfort her child and explain as best she can.
I want her to share 1 sink between 4 sick children and 4 adults in a room.
I want her to store her things under the bed because there is no locker as there is no room for lockers.
I want her to go out to the nurses stn at 1am and wait because there is no one there. At all.
I want her to fear leaving to go and get some food, just in case the doctor comes. She can ask 'When is he expected?" , but she will not be given an answer.
I want her to bring a child into A & E so that the child can see all the drunks and addicts who come in.
I want her to see what the child makes of the two fights in A & E between security and the heroin addict that wants to go into A & E right now.

Then I want them to tell her that they have to transfer her child to Dublin because they don't have the expertise. She can understand that there is no pediatric centre of excellence outside of Dublin.
I want her to leave her other children, husband, support and travel to Dublin with a really sick child.
I want her to know what it's like to not be able to go home for a shower because home is 128km away.
I want her to look forward to a visit from her husband on the weekend.
I want her to organise the care at home ,at her own expense, that ensures her other children are taken care of while she is away and her husband works.
I want her to try not to worry about the other children.
I want her to know what it's like not to be able to go home to get fresh clothes, see the other children or just to sleep because it is too far.
I want her to clean up the vomit herself. It's ok, that's no big deal.
The nurses are busy.
I want her to be know what it is to continue without sleep.
I want her to be thankful that she got a plastic mattress that goes directly on the floor.

Then, In a months time, I would like her to do it all again, because her child has a long term illness .Let her start again at A & E in the public hospital, hoping she doesn't have to go to Dublin - again.

Just that. Because I hope it would make a difference. I'd love for her to experience that. Just so that she rethinks the moving of services to the Mater. Before any more cuts are made to children's wards and children's hospitals.

Because you see, I cannot figure out WHO is making the decisions and I cannot figure out WHY they are making them. I'm thinking that perhaps they just don't know. All I know is, that as the parent of a sick child, It's getting harder and harder.

And if any of you have something you'd like the Minister to see, add it here.
I think she ought to see, not on a fanfare visit, I mean really see.


Disillusioned.

[sarahj]

When the people are allowed to make decisions re: the organisation and content of their health services, then there will be some real change.

Allowing a woman who knows nothing about either health or the organisation of services in charge in our health services is stupid. The people know what is needed - so we must decide.

[He3]

Sorry. She doesn't actually care. She has washed her hands of all this in reality if not in her rhetoric.

I did not want to believe that of her, having followed her career for a long time since she was a student in Trinity, but it is the only conclusion left at this stage.

HSE management are no better as a body, with limited individual exceptions.

[sarahj]

Sorry. She doesn't actually care. She has washed her hands of all this in reality if not in her rhetoric.

I did not want to believe that of her, having followed her career for a long time since she was a student in Trinity, but it is the only conclusion left at this stage.

HSE management are no better as a body, with limited individual exceptions.

She just doesn't know any better I think. Apparently (I can't name my source) she has a secret advisor who noone knows of who basically dictates policy. I think she went to the school of neoliberalism and never bothered educating herself on anything else.

[Clanrickard]

I want voters to educate themselves as to the issues involved before voting. I want the system changed so that TDs legislate and oversee the spending of tax euro. Then, and only then, will you get the services we need.

[jmcc]

I regard Harney and her ilk to be surplus to the requirements of humanity. Their removal cannot come a moment too soon.

Regards...jmcc

[BodyofEvidence]

CakeorDeath : great post. Send it as an email to all TD's and Senators.

[JCSkinner]

When Mary Harney turns up at A+E, all triage rules are ignored, and surgeons suddenly prioritise whoever she likes, no matter where they are in the queue.
Then she goes on TV with an onion in her hanky to cry about people prying into her private life!
She denies she ordered anyone to prioritise who she wants treated first, but point blank refuses to address whether any of her staff did so on her behalf.
That's what happens when Mary Harney goes to A+E.

[drzhivago]

thank you cakeordeath

I have been in the same scenario though thankfully not 100km from home but understand the anxiety, frustration and feeling of hopelessness

Thanks fully mine was for 4 days and was hopefully a one off but you never know

As a doctor it was no easier, no special favours, no extra thick mattress and I wouldnt want it to have been different. I think it was appalling for all of us

Who wants to leave their child alone when they are vulnerable

surely in their wisdom the powers that be know that

Unfortunately I dont think Mary Harney will ever be in that position realistically she is too old to have children and will never know your pain and suffering


CANY ANY ONE ELSE EXPLAIN HOW TO THANK IN A POST HAVENT MANAGED TO FIND A METHOD

[drzhivago]

thank you cakeordeath

I have been in the same scenario though thankfully not 100km from home but understand the anxiety, frustration and feeling of hopelessness

Thanks fully mine was for 4 days and was hopefully a one off but you never know

As a doctor it was no easier, no special favours, no extra thick mattress and I wouldnt want it to have been different. I think it was appalling for all of us

Who wants to leave their child alone when they are vulnerable

surely in their wisdom the powers that be know that

Unfortunately I dont think Mary Harney will ever be in that position realistically she is too old to have children and will never know your pain and suffering


CANY ANY ONE ELSE EXPLAIN HOW TO THANK IN A POST HAVENT MANAGED TO FIND A METHOD