I was in the Emergency Department. A catastrophe, they didn't do anything!

I gave birth in this hospital two-and-a-half years ago and I am still dealing with the birth trauma to this day.

The doctor I saw in A&E was rude and arrogant while treating my wife. We were sent home only to be called back in the next day as the bloods now showed a problem. The lack of professionalism caused great stress for us during our initial visit. And we were never given an apology.

Atrocious care - medical misinformation, downright dishonesty, and failure to understand the medical circumstance. Consultant made decision without seeing patient or notes.

The patient developed an allergy after a few days and we found it quite difficult to get readmitted for observation. There was only one doctor on duty at the weekend on the relevant floor. Surely, more staff should have been on duty?

I was very impressed with the care l received in the Freyer Unit. The staff were very kind and caring to me. In addition they were extremely encouraging when l thought l was not recovering quickly enough. They kept my pain under control and this was major for me because l had been traumatised by extreme pain after previous spinal surgery in another facility.

This hospital should be an example for all other hospitals in the country. It is run very efficiently, I think thanks to the administration staff. As opposed to HSE run hospitals who seem to have so many administrative staff who are not doing their job.

I was admitted through the ED Department after being referred from a residential unit, suffering from severe abdominal pain, nausea etc... I had previously been in the Lourdes for an unrelated issue and have noticed improvements. There was a short wait in the ED, 15 minutes or so, but once triaged things happened quickly. I was assessed quickly by nurses and doctors who were obviously under huge pressure, given IV fluids, pain relief and bloods taken. I saw a surgeon within one hour and he was exceptional. He explained possible causes, what tests would be carried out and what the results would mean. Although I was on a trolley for about 12 hours I was never ignored. To be honest I could see staff were very busy and so didn’t call them but every so often a nurse or doctor would ask me how the pain was, if I needed more pain relief, what to expect next etc... After bloods confirmed something was wrong I was given a bed on 1st Floor Modular. Wow, what a comfortable bed and the staff were just amazing. For the first day or two I slept most of the time but after that I enjoyed my time on the ward. From the man who cleaned to the woman serving the food, the nurses, doctors and other patients, everyone had a joke and a laugh. This atmosphere made such a difference to what would otherwise have been a very difficult and perhaps scary time for patients. I had so many blood tests, scans, IV antibiotics etc... but all done quickly and professionally. At all stages I was fully informed of my progress, the next tests, what to expect etc... Mr Majeed and his team are exceptional. They are thoroughly professional, empathetic, and above all they are very, very nice people. Overall my experience at the Lourdes was exceptionally positive. Of course there are things I could complain about, small things. After all I wasn’t booking into a five star hotel. Of course waiting times could be improved, we all have a skewed perception of time when we’re ill. Of course a small minority of people will throw litter on the floor or dirty a toilet. What impressed me were the improvements over the past few years. Obviously management are listening and are actively trying to solve problems. Given that there are so many departments it’s not surprising that occasionally there may be a glitch or delay but overall I personally believe they are doing a fantastic job. Hospitals have limited budgets which have been savagely cut in recent years. Perhaps, instead of complaining to individual hospitals about staff shortages or delays for tests, people should express their anger at those responsible, the politicians. I will certainly be writing to my local politicians to express my views regarding the continued underfunding of health services. Finally, I would like to say a very sincere thank you to everyone at the Lourdes. You are all, in your own unique way, truly amazing. Thank you.

My dog would get better treatment in the vets, and would not be in there for eight hours.

The worst care I have ever received. Came in by ambulance as my vehicle was part of a hit and run and I was found unconscious. Among other things, there was no note of this! I was told I could go at 2.30am. I had a concussion and whiplash and broken bones. This is outrageous. I would never recommend this hospital. I am still traumatised by the unprofessional and cavalier treatment I received.

Extremely good given that I wasn’t a model patient. They went above and beyond the call of duty in every way. I can’t pick out a special nurse because they were all 100%. God bless you all and keep up the good work. Veronica F.

I don't like hospitals but this one is ok. Anytime I have been here for something that was planned it has been very well organised. People have been respectful and kept me up to date. When something unexpected happens, like I need to get bloods done, then it is terrible. No-one knows where to go, people send you waiting from here to there and back again for what seems like no reason. The person who eventually took my bloods was rude, invasive and had to try more than once.

No one wants to end up in hospital in an emergency, or otherwise, but I cannot find fault with the care I received in the early pregnancy unit and the gynae ward. They’re overrun with patients and short staffed, but nobody was overlooked. The nursing staff and healthcare assistants in particular are to be commended.

The person who served one of the meals was so rude. It was a big deal for them to bring my son his evening meal as he was very late going for surgery. They didn't give him anything to drink with his meal. Threw it at him. No napkin. Attitude was terrible. The ward was very quiet so they were not under pressure. Such a contrast to some of the other catering staff.

Something needs to be done in A&E. Absolute disgrace.

I wanted to call out Orville - from Jamaica - who pushed my son's bed around the X-ray departments and was an absolute joy. Entertained us with stories about cruises and his princess daughter. We loved Orville. He was just perfect at a time of high stress.

I've moved hospitals but am still terrified after my ordeal in CUH.

They haven't a clue, one staff member doesn't know what the other is thinking - my GP had to tell me in the end what they were doing and looking for.

I had a small operation carried out in Sligo Hospital. The staff were excellent, from the girl at reception to the doctors. My nurse that day was Edel Kelly, she was brilliant from start to finish, so nice and easy to talk to. It made everything a bit easier on me.

I had my son in the maternity unit last year. All I can say is the conditions in a third world country would be better. The level of professionalism between doctors and nurses was a disgrace. I was not listened to consistently and only was acknowledged when my son's heartbeat was not being detected. As a result of my experience I was left with severe physiological issues. Although in a better place now and I am able to speak out about it, I will no doubt be affected the rest of my life.

I have been to Barringtons previously and think it's a good hospital. On this occasion I had a bed in a ward which was either a 4 or 5 bed. It was mixed - men and women. There was another ward across from this ward which seemed to have day patients. This ward didn't seem to have a toilet as lots of people from there and any visitors they had or those who were collecting them seemed to use the toilet in my room. The door was always open and I felt like I was in a train station. As I was having an enema I felt really anxious about this and don't think I did a proper clean out as I was so worried about being able to use the toilet. I really think the hospital should invest in a toilet for the other ward. As I said I would go to this hospital again but really that many people shouldn't be using the one toilet.

Amazing, amazing staff on maternity. I was Induced again and from time I arrived until baby arrived, the care I received was amazing. I felt like they listened to me and understood I suffered with bad anxiety. My doctor was amazing. All around amazing care 5*. Would always come here for maternity care.

Terrible service. Using this hospital for maternity but thinking of switching. 1. Missed my 12 week antenatal appointment because they never sent out the letter. Had to call them up and ask what’s going on. 2. Admitted into hospital by my doctor with a letter telling the hospital what needed to be done. Doctors didn’t listen, lost the letter and I had to keep reminding them I was pregnant. Sent home with antibiotics. 3. Rushed back in the next day severely sick and dehydrated. Was left out the following morning in the hall for five hours as there was no space available. 4. Sent to hospital recently with heart problems. Was told a doctor was coming up shortly...three hours later, a family member had to ask around. They said they had to call a doctor back up to the ward, so they forgot about me. 5. Was told by a doctor someone would contact me in the morning to come back in. Didn’t receive a call. Called back up and asked what was going on. The previous doctor didn’t leave enough information and now I have an appointment in the future. I can’t fault the staff, they are wonderful and really do help you and reassure you. They are lovely and I can understand that they are rushed off their feet being under staffed, but the lack of organisation is appalling and needs to be sorted out before mistakes are made. I do not want to give birth in this hospital, the amount of mishaps and disorganisation that I have experienced so far has really pushed me.

Very efficient, caring staff. Hospital very clean.

May I commend the kindness of the porter whio helped me to find the Gynae department. And also the very kind receptionist who took my details and also took the time to reassure me.

Appointment times were running very behind in the ultrasound department, and the doctor carrying out the ultrasound was clearly trying to get through as many people as quickly as possible. Not good enough going private.

Once again the amazing team at X-ray delivered a very efficient and professional service. Check in at A&E was very efficient and Ciara, Advanced Nurse Practitioner was so professional, knowledgeable and kind. I had a 1 hour, 5 minute turn around from arrival at Portiuncula to discharge with referral to fracture clinic at Merlin Park. I visited on Monday, September 17th 2018.

Usually you will always meet one member of staff who isn’t very nice and I sure did. One of the midwives. We are very vulnerable after having a baby and the way she spoke and treated a few of us in the ward was very abrupt and mean. I didn’t let her away with it! I told her exactly what I would and would not do and would not be bossed and forced to do anything. The rest of the ladies in the ward were delighted I stood up to her and I reported her to someone in charge. I was there for a few days after having my baby by emergency section and suffering with high blood pressure, so to be treated like that was ridiculous. If I ever have a baby again, I do not want her near me.

I waited for five hours in A&E and after this time, not so much as bloods were taken. The nurse I saw was rude and unhelpful even though I was obviously in huge pain. The surroundings were unclean and cold and the staff (nursing), as I did not get to see a doctor, were blatantly uncaring.

The poor, poor nursing staff. They seem to be treated like the lowest of the low and I wonder if senior management/HR are aware their consultants openly shout at and belittle nurses in front of patients? If this is known then I feel even more sorry for your nurses. If it is not known then I suggest something is done about it immediately! I saw nurses reduced to tears going about their day caring for 8-10 post operative patients each. As a patient, you would prefer your nurse being at their best while caring for you in your most vulnerable state. I could see the girls were stretched so thin and appearing to work too many days in a row (I was an inpatient for eight days and saw only the same faces), presumably to cover shifts.