Dedicated hospital staff are an example of all that is best in the medical profession

SIR, With all the negativity surrounding our healthcare system at the moment I feel I have to speak out about recent hospital trips.

I am a new mother (first time mom) to a seven-week-old baby. The pregnancy was progressing perfectly until week 27/28 when my blood elevated and they decided to monitor me more closely, either weekly or fortnightly.

The care that I received in University Hospital Kerry from the consultant, doctors and nurses was absolutely fantastic. They left no stone unturned when looking after the health of myself and my unborn baby. From week 30–35 I was admitted for a few nights each week for regular monitoring. I encountered many different doctors and staff all of which were more caring and competent than the next.

Our baby was born at 35 weeks and spent three weeks in the neonatal unit. She was so well looked after, as were we, her parents. Everything was explained to us carefully in a way we understood, reassurance was given to us when necessary, especially as to what was such a worrying time for us.

After spending so much time in and out of the hospital over an eight-week period I can honestly say I didn’t have one negative experience in there.

Nursing truly is a vocation and while a lot of the negativity and complaints surrounding the healthcare system may be justified I feel the good work of the doctors and midwives I met in UHK should be applauded. The working conditions and overcrowding we hear about daily certainly didn’t compromise the care I or my baby received. Sincerely, Michelle O’Shea, Castlemaine.