Pre-covid prisoners had more rights than hospital patients
The Celt received the following Letter to the Editor in the past week from a reader:
Madam,
I wish to bring to your attention an ongoing issue regarding hospital visits for long-term stay patients.
- Why is it that a fully vaccinated family member cannot visit a fully vaccinated patient in hospital?
- How is it that I, as an unvaccinated person, can sit around a table outside a pub with five other unvaccinated people, but a patient cannot receive a visit from a vaccinated relative, while taking all the necessary precautions regarding hand sanitisation and PPE.
- Where is the logic? More importantly, where is the humanity in all of this?
While it is all well and good being able to go for dinner or drinks with family or friends, what about our sick and vulnerable?
The reason I raise this issue is because of a close family friend who was in very good health until recently. The person suffered a massive stroke six weeks ago and they have, as a result, lost most of the movement in the right hand side of their body. They are currently being tube fed, with limited control of other bodily functions. Thankfully there appears to be no damage to their mind.
While their condition was critical, the hospital allowed short visits. But now the person is somewhat stable, visits are out of the question.
I certainly do not wish to criticise the hospital staff who are doing what they can. I understand their hands are tied by the current restrictions.
On days when this person is strong enough to make a call, they'll will ring family members or friends in tears begging for them to come see them or to take them home. It is at a point now where the person's loneliness outweighs any concern they have for their health.
How many hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of patients and family are in the same situation?
Pre-covid prisoners had more rights than many hospital patients currently do.
The benefits of a patient's positive mindset in helping with recovery and overall well-being are well documented.
How can we expect a patient to make a recovery while suffering from loneliness and isolation? This is detrimental to an individual's physical and mental health.
While I understand the concerns, I strongly believe that, if the proper procedures are followed, the risks can be negligible. This is particularly applicable in a safe environment such as a hospital.
Visitations are already working in nursing homes so why can't the same provisions be put in place for hospital patients?
The effects of the pandemic have been far reaching and almost unprecedented in modern history.
We as a country and as citizens have made huge sacrifices for the protection of the most vulnerable members of our society.
However, mistakes have been made. This letter is not intended to be critical but rather highlight an issue that affects people locally and nationwide.
The Government has been promoting the benefits of the vaccination roll-out, which I agree with, and this is an opportunity to show the benefits of this programme, while restoring some dignity to our hospital patients.
Yours Sincerely,
Concerned Friend
(Name and address with editor)
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