University Hospital Kerry

"Leaving a review here after having the same problem I had here at UHK almost a year ago very recently at a hospital in England, and the difference is absolutely insane. Here, the doctors and nurses actually treat you with empathy and keep you informed about what's going on. I felt respected here and I didn't have to wait very long to be seen."

"Can't speak highly enough of the staff, from the ambulance crew to the nursing staff, doctors ,administrators, catering staff, cleaning staff and security, these people are professionals to their fingertips, they offer way more than a medical service, their kindness, compassion and humanity are evident in everything they do. Working under extreme pressure the A+E department are absolutely amazing.I know people complain about medical services here in Ireland but the past few days have opened my eyes to just how hard our hospital staff work, a huge thank you to every single one of them for the great care they're giving my husband, he's in good hands surrounded by kind and caring professionals.After arriving by ambulance and being assessed in A+E we did have a long wait in the waiting room(about 7 hours) before being taken in for further assessment, then a couple of days on a trolley in the corridor before a bed became available but having watched the sheer volume of patients coming through there on the May bank Holiday we were both impressed by the staff, they did an amazing job under extremely busy conditions and they did it with good grace, humour and compassion."

"The staff in A/E are so professional, friendly, compassionate and caring . The system of assessment is streamlined to perfection. The patient accommodation, facilities and multidisciplinary team are the best in Ireland. Nurses and doctors treat patients with respect and dignity at all times. Patients and next of kin are kept informed of planned investigations and results at all times. The atmosphere is calm controlled even when busy The trolleys are modern, spacious and comfortable and very conducive to providing a restful experience for all categories of patient. The staff appear happy even when faced with busy patient throughput . I have just attended with my ill brother and we could not have been treated anywhere in the world .I hope HIQA realise that you do Kerry and Ireland proud God bless your healing hands and hearts. Thank you Sheila O Connor"

"Another horror episode in Tralee Hospital. We've heard about many horror cases from friends that works in past in the hospital and from many Kerry people that have interacted with this hospital. But we never thought of this that can be true. After piece of finger was cut in home accident we visited the South Doc Killarney at about 1700 hours. The cut was so severe that ambulance was requested from Tralee Hospital and we was transferred to the hospital. The bleeding was stopped and we was made to wait by the words of the staff " couple of minutes until the 2000 hours change of shift is done in the emergency room. Two and a half hour later we asked the receptionist if we were forgotten but ahe stated that she doesn't have such an information. Another hour later we ask the same question and annoyed the receptionist said that we have to wait and another two and half hours as this is normal for Ireland health services. Now thats not normal by any mean. We request to talk to supervisor and a lady came another hour later. She explained that we have to wait another 3 patient before us as they decided that we can wait. Meal or anything else wasn't offered even after my wife lost probably more than a litter of blood. However we asked for the name of the doctor that accepted the person from the ambulance service and decided to make wait a person in emergency to wait 4 hours and that is just up to the moment at 2300 hours. We asked documentation to be provided with the name of the doctor that took a decision so we can review and investigate that perception of emergency after many people with not life treating complaints arrived, registered with receptionist, were accepted and left home in timely manner. Service is unacceptable for a European country in peaceful time. However record of acceptance from the hospital were refused from the supervisor on duty. We have several encounter with this hospital and staff over the pregnancy of my wife and in last complaints we did receive apologies and the management of the hospital and acknowledgement that hospital is failing to meet normal health services. However i won't satisfy my self with just an apology as we are paying for emergency services and one wasn't provided. After hospital staff is refusing record of who accept emergency case from ambulance service and decided to make this emergency case to wait more than 4 hours after severe lost of blood we feel like our case is to show that we have been experienced deficit of health care. After another two hours in total 5 and half waiting with refusal for adequate health services we request any documents for admission but again we were refused one. Security was asked to explain us that no document can be provided and we left after reading all the comments of actually people waiting 12 or 24 hours in waiting room of emergency room in Tralee Hospital. Obviously something very shady is going on this hospital. A friend of mine in mean time call me to send me his support as he waited for admission in this very same emergency room 2 years ago in hysterical pain for more than 8 Hours. Hopefully soon something will change drastically, as this is a joke with people life and money as on the end we all pay for this."

"The most irresponsible place ever. Waited more than 12 hours with no help from them. Staff not specialized in lots of medical details. Every nurse walk through you thinking you're invisible. They sent me to home with no letter, no diagnosis, no medicine"