Roberto A Samson wonders if waiting isn’t sometimes worthwhile...
WE HEAR and read so many things about our health system in Ireland, and how it needs a radical change. But as far as my own experiences go, I’ve taken on a different view. Recently, my GP referred me to St James’ Hospital in Dublin for a thorough blood check-up. It was my first time at a hospital here in Ireland in terms of availing of services myself, rather than to visit someone else.
There were around 20 other people from different ages, nationalities and backgrounds in the waiting area at the oncology department when I arrived. I looked at my watch, seeing that it was 12.30pm, 45 minutes ahead of my appointment. So I took out my copy of Metro Éireann to pass the time.
When I had finished reading the paper from cover to cover and found myself still waiting for my own name to be called, I asked how long it would take before they would call me. The reply was honest: “We really don’t know, as the consultants are still out.” I looked at my watch: two hours had passed.
Some five minutes passed before the consultants arrived. Not one of them appeared to have their own regular room to check patients, as everyone seemed to be milling around confusedly. It was three hours after I arrived when finally my name was called. A tired nurse gave me her best smile and courteously asked me to take a seat. She checked my blood pressure and body temperature, and then told me to go back to the waiting area. I reiterated that I needed to give my blood samples and not just to be checked of my blood pressure, but she replied that a consultant would have to see me first before I gave my blood.
I asked the nurse if it was normal for patients to wait this long before seeing the consultant. She was very apologetic to me, and explained that consultants have to attend first to their older patients before attending to me, a new patient.
As I was tired of sitting down, I began strolling along the corridor while I waited for my name to be called again. A good number of Filipino nurses passed me along the way, their body language communicating their willingness to assist me; I responded with the body language of acknowledgement of gratitude, and that in some way or another, I still have to wait for my turn.
When I was finally seen by a consultant, the time on my watch was 4:30pm – exactly four hours since I arrived. I made a quick evaluation and analysis of the whole situation. I felt perfectly well but didn’t have the patience to sit through a whole afternoon of waiting.
But then I thought, what if I wasn’t feeling well? How would I react to all this waiting? Probably I would have been cursing already anyone passing by, or I would be very insistent on being seen by the consultant ahead of others. But even through all the waiting, I was impressed by the staff and the consultants. Each of them was giving his or her best to treat patients; each was giving quality time to every person in front of them.
The nurse took my blood samples, and though she drew eight small bottles’ worth, I didn’t even feel the pinch of the needle. Like the consultant, she was just there for me, giving me the quality time as a patient.
AS I WALKED out to the car park afterwards, I realised that having waited for more than four hours wasn’t a waste of time if, at the end, the service that a patient receives is first class. I have to acknowledge that I discovered so many unsung heroes that day, especially my nurse and the consultant – and of course the patients, who really waited with patience. It seems clear to me that it’s not our health system that needs radical change, but the lack of structures to facilitate its services.
