Madam, – I think it would be a heartbreaking disgrace if St Luke’s Hospital is closed (Enid O’Dowd, June 22nd).
My father, Frank O’Dwyer, was a patient there for the last weeks of his life. He was previously treated in both Beaumont and the Mater. While we encountered wonderful medical staff in those hospitals, the difference in atmosphere between the larger hospitals and St Luke’s was incredible. My father used to hate the busy corridors of the larger hospitals and became extremely anxious when being brought in for treatment. When we arrived in St Luke’s, however, both he and I breathed a sigh of relief as soon as we drove up the leafy drive and crossed the threshold into the calm tranquil atmosphere.
The holistic approach of St Luke’s meant the care taken, not just of my father, but of us his family, was extraordinary in many wonderful ways, but in particular my brother and I were afforded the opportunity of staying in a room in the hospital, so that my father would never be left alone, without a member of his family, in his last days. This was the most enormous comfort to us.
Friends of St Luke’s have raised over €20 million for the hospital.
If Minister for Health Mary Harney’s Bill succeeds, the HSE takes over St Luke’s.
The HSE has not proved itself reliable or efficient in its handling of funds, as can be observed by the current investigation regarding missing training funds.
Obviously there are reasons for having giant hospitals and centralising medical care, but that doesn’t mean we should throw away a unique gem like St Luke’s or reserve it for private health care, so that it becomes the domain of the wealthy.
I urge Irish Times readers to contact their local TDs to ask them to oppose this Bill. Time is short, the Committee stage is this week and the Bill will be through by July 8th, unless we fight to save this existing centre of excellence. – Yours, etc,