"Acute Cardiac Unit 14th/15th February 2015"

For the attention of the Chief Executive whom I ask to pass my comments to all staff concerned.

On the above date I was rushed by ambulance to the above unit suffering a suspected heart attack. From the moment of my arrival not only was I treated with urgency but at the same time with great kindness and respect. All the staff whom dealt with me on my arrival at the unit deserve recognition for the way in which I was treated and I have the utmost respect for the job they do and the way in which they carried out that work in my particular case.

Having undergone initial tests within a very short space of time I was transferred for observations to the ACU. Again I can state without hesitation that each and every member of the staff within that unit whom I encountered whatever role they took from the member of staff delivering tea to the nursing staff monitoring my health, again the respectful dignified and attentive manner in which I was treated is something that the hospital should be duly proud.

Each and every member of staff I encountered through the period of time I remained in hospital was at all times also cheerful often I would feel in the face of adversity and exhaustion. My praise is singled out for all those staff members without exception

This brings me to a comment which is aimed at only one person and that is you the Chief Executive of the hospital. I have asked you pass on my comments of praise to all the staff whom I encountered whatever role they undertake within the unit from the consultant to the cleaners.

My only criticism is that in the 21st Century how is it possible or even allowable to have members of staff working 12 hour shifts who are in the position of making possible life and death decisions. Most of the staff I spoke with, only when I asked told me that they were on a 12 hour shift. This is wrong from both a moral and welfare point of view. Is it that middle and senior management are swallowing the budget and thus the front line is being starved. Is it not time that bureaucracy was swept aside along with those that cause it. I feel certain that middle and senior managers do not do 12 hour night shifts and suffer being called into work when they should be having a day off. Is it not the case that lessons need to be learned.

You sir have staff of whom you should be very proud. Is it not time that you started to take care of that very dedicated team and resource it to such a level that staff have a reasonable shift length, with work life balance.

I hope you have the courage to publish this in its entirety. It is not the rant of a person with out knowledge but one whom spent 30 plus years in emergency public service working shifts of 8 hours.