First-class care

Over the years I have been admitted to St Luke's Hospital on several occasions.

I have had a number of surgical operations, including three operations on a badly broken leg and ankle and I underwent hernia repair.

On one occasion I was saved after eating an infected octopus which had a bad allergic reaction on me.

Recently I was admitted to Medical Ward 1. I had visited my GP and taken the prescribed antibiotics but was still running a temperature of 104 three days later.

Within minutes of arriving at St Luke's emergency department, no fewer than three doctors and four nurses examined me.

These most professional people worked on me for four hours. I had five x-rays, numerous blood and urine tests, a complete physical and an ECG. These tests showed a shadow on my lung and that my lungs had collapsed slightly; I was also very dehydrated.

Blood cultures were collected later to identify exactly what was the cause of the problems. I was then admitted to the ward, where, as it transpired, I remained for five days.

Within 30 hours of being in the ward my temperature was back to normal following the use of two different sorts of antibiotics being "pumped" into me.

During my time in the ward I had further x-rays, my eyes were checked (my vision had become impaired as I had been running this high temperature for nearly two weeks) and further blood and urine tests were taken.

At all times the staff treated me, and as far as I could see, also treated everyone else humanely and professionally, despite the very difficult conditions.

Consultant Edgar Pullicino and his team were marvellous and the nursing staff did wonders when considering people were in beds in the corridors due to the lack of available beds and facilities.

Particular mention should be made of ward nurse John Spiteri, who diligently checked all patient records while on night duty, to make sure everyone was getting the treatment he/she should.

This is always how I have found the treatment at St Luke's and I thank all the staff who have treated me over the years.

People who complain should consider the very difficult conditions that these dedicated people work under.

By the way, it was discovered that I had pneumonia.