During my recent admission to CUH, I found the nurses to be unprofessional, rude and uncaring. When a family member asked a nurse what was the cause of my breathlessness, as the nurse had said oxygen levels were ok, the nurse did not answer and walked away. I found that the nurses didn't explain causes or reasons, which left patients worried because of the unknown. Neither do the nurses want to be asked questions. They would prefer if you didn’t bother them. My experience of the catering / kitchen staff was very poor. I politely asked a catering staff member if I could have some ice. They went into a huff. I was a bother. Everything is a trouble to them. I said the ice was for a patient. They muttered something. The ice machine was right alongside them. When the tea round came around at 9pm, I the patient, said I did not want any tea. I asked for a cup of tea for a family member. The catering staff replied "I am not here to give tea to your visitors“. I found these staff short and sharp in their approach to patients. As a patient that underwent major surgery very unexpectedly, I was very anxious. There was no support and little reassurance from nursing staff. I felt the nurses did the bare minimum for patients. They were not run off their feet either. They had plenty time for chats among themselves at the nurses station. The Consultant / SHO were very professional and very kind to patients. They really knew their job. It is a pity the nurses don’t support them. I felt that the patient is not prioritised by nurses. There is no consideration for patients.

Great nurses, great doctors and great consultants.

Have never been so disgusted by a hospital and its staff, absolutely shocking. The previous doctor over my case couldn't care less. They have since left and now God is the only one that knows who my consultant is because secretary and clinics don't know. If I had a choice, I would never set foot in that hospital, but I don't have a choice so am stuck now in limbo. If I could rate the consultant and hospital, it would b a big fat zero.

I had major surgery and was left in agony for a day before getting a morphine pump. Care horrendous for the duration of my stay. Now a neighbour tells me the same happened to her in the same ward I was in. What's going on there?

I have now been three times. Initially the wait was long on first visit but the people were helpful and I understood I was given a referral. On the second visit I was given a time to arrive, which I did, but this appears to only be a recommendation. The nurse who saw me first was rude. The doctor was very good and advised I needed further tests. They advised that I return on a specific date which I was told to tell reception, but while in queue, one staff member took my form. I advised them of the date, which they nodded to, but as expected, my return was far outside this date and as a result, the doctor who wanted to see my again was absent due to holidays. I then received an 8am appointment time again but I overheard another patient being advised that the doctor would arrive at 9am. As a student, this affects my budget with car park costs as they are extortionate at this location. In relation to this car park, I was waiting like others in a stream of cars which was staff because no one advised that the patient parking was to the side. There was someone there in a yellow jacket watching me and others looking lost, maybe his job is to watch?! Back to the appointments time, this seems atrocious if a doctor is not on site, why are patients advised to be there. Is their time more important? How does this factor into duty of care?

My son was in the A&E Department for 4 hours on a recent Sunday morning, from approx 4am until 8am and the furthest he got was triage. Every injury in the department was 'drink related'. When my son asked for panadol he was told 'Oh, you've sobered up have you?'. We eventually left and went to a medical centre at 8am. He had an x-ray done and diagnosis given within one hour. I would be the first to support any nurse as I understand it is the worst night of the week in A&E, as well as the unit being understaffed especially at the hour of the morning, but I was appalled at his treatment.

Disgusting and filthy place. Left hospital no better than when I was admitted. Still no answers for the deterioration in my illness.

My experience in CUH could only be described as beautiful. All the staff were as busy as bees in a happy hive and overall I found friendly smiles, helpful people working efficiently and in a very professional manner. From the reception lady, the first nurse, the trainee nurse, the tea lady, the doctor, the cleaning lady, all the other people unnamed but part of what I felt was a happy busy place, a place that had time for me. I must say THANK YOU to all who were in the A&E when I was there. I have used this hospital before and have discovered a place where I feel safe. Thank you. Edward (Eamonn)

I can honestly say I could not have been cared for better during my time at CUH. Every single person that was involved in my care was amazing from start to finish. I cannot rate them highly enough.

The nurses that dealt with me were the worst. I've experienced good care elsewhere so I know the difference. They were cruel and I was so vulnerable. I experienced issues with my medicines and nastiness...Cruel and horrible nurses.

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

From attending Southdoc in Bandon, proceeding to CUH and surgery later that day, to recovery in the amazing ward 4A where I remained six days after a ruptured appendix. OMG I can only say I had a good time, met lovely people and was looked after by hard working professionals who got the job done with a smile. They saved my life. I’m vegetarian and fussy but the food was excellent. Patience and courtesy fixed any issue. Well done kitchen. Cleaning and porters are just so cool and may I say fun, thanks to everyone for making it work.

I would just like to thank a wonderful nurse Doloros on the Awbeg suite, after a long 3 hours waiting to see the doctor. Nobody's fault of course these things happen, but from the minute I got into the room she was so pleasant and caring. And of course Killian the doctor was also great and put me so much as ease. These people deserve so much credit. Thank you so much to the both of you.

Hospital is a joke, not enough care for people on liquid diets, very little options. How am I expected to get better if it’s just lousy food that would make me worse??? Not enough staff here for the patients. The way they treat long-term illnesses compared to how they should is a joke.

Everything about my visit to CUH on the 9th of July 2018 was 100%.

During 7 weeks of daily visits to the radiotherapy department, we met excellent staff who were very friendly, caring and helpful. The service was very organised, and well run. Everyone in the department made the treatment somewhat bareable. We are very grateful for the care received.

Came for my yearly check up and as part of that I have to give blood for a blood test. The ticketing system used is a joke. Two separate queues depending on whether you are there after referral from a particular consultant or other. That isn't explained or sign posted very well. I spent over an hour waiting after taking a ticket to be then told when my number was called that I was in the wrong queue and had to take another ticket and wait again. Waited another hour with this new ticket and nothing happened. No numbers were being called out. Then eventually found out that there was another smaller waiting room (in the coagulation centre) where people had queued up, so sat in there waiting for my ticket to be called but no ticket system was in place. Nurse didn't know who the next number was so just shouted who's next. I'd had enough by this time so just walked out. Absolute shocking service. A simple system needs to be applied here that both patients and staff know. The hospital and staff are very efficient at making a simple process not work.

I was initially referred in 2014 for cervical nerve protrusions confirmed by 4 MRIs. Now I have to get nerve conduction tests and was told it will take months??? I am steadily going downhill from the constant pain and getting depressed because I feel I have been abandoned by the system simply because I am a public patient. I know private patients (my siblings) who have had surgeries years before me with the same issues. It is very disheartening. I now have to wait again in pain for months for more tests. They could have been doing these all along while I was waiting.

I would like to mention those who jump on patients lying on trolleys in the hospital corridors to ask them to sign payment forms while the patients are under drugs and don't know what they are signing. People spend nights in the corridors, then they are put in mixed wards with anybody regardless of the cases. The rooms stink, the food is disgusting, nobody can sleep. Consultants visit you when they have time, don't give any conclusive explanations, test results are not sent or given to patients or GP. Eventually, you leave the premises in the same state as you came. Treatments are given without much explanations and if you have questions, you are told to come back to A&E if you want a follow -up. If this hospital reflects the state of the health system in this country, then my advice is to flee abroad!

I understood I would have a wait for a bed and for a slot for the operation. I find it unbelievable that our current government still has not sorted the HSE so that more operating theatres are open and being used to get people in for operations and get rid of waiting lists. It is very frustrating on surgeons and nursing staff that people are in severe pain and cannot be helped promptly. I will be eternally grateful for the care I received from my surgeon and all staff in CUH. I am not in the horrendous pain I was in for a long time. hank you to all. I wish everyone in pain was able to do this survey and say they are out of pain like I am. Government - do the right thing, sort our hospitals and give staff a less stressful environment to work in. They are all amazing working in the situations they find themselves in.

Awful hospital, very dirty, I felt consultants didn't care about patients.

Still traumatised after a horrific experience post surgery. Have now moved hospital for follow up-care. Have panicked visiting patients in CUH upon seeing people and rooms involved in my care.

My first visit to the hospital as an inpatient, I walked in to the A&E in the process of a heart attack. The speed and care I was given throughout was exceptional - thank you all so much.

Excellent

I have cancer. I genuinely considered discontinuing treatment as I couldn't bear the thought of going back inside this hospital ever again. Luckily I have scraped the money together for private healthcare.

The care I received at CUH was fantastic. From the very first consultation with the neurosurgeon, everything was explained to me in detail about the procedure. Being spinal surgery there was a huge risk involved and a high chance of the surgery not being successful. I am so thankful to all the staff for being so professional looking after me with amazing care.

No complaints about the doctors. But the nurses would continually give just paracetamol when I was due for pain meds and make me wait for 45 minutes 'just in case it would help first'. I had a drain pulling and hanging off my face. It meant I had to ask for pain meds before I was in pain to avoid being left in agony.

An absolute disgrace to the Irish Health system! Patients on trolleys all down the corridor of A&E, bursting out the doors into the foyer area and actually holding fire doors open. Sick patients left sitting on the floor. Elderly patients treated like dirt. Witnessed two nurses having a big chat in the corridor, one was called on her phone for something work related, her snappy response was 'I'm far too busy to deal with that at the moment' to which she hung up and then continued her chat about her holiday. Admin staff at reception very abrupt and dismissive. Stood for about 20 minutes at the desk to ask for some water for my father. Person behind the desk didn't even look at me, kept shuffling around bits of paper and opening patient files and closing them, without actually doing anything. Eventually they looked up at me and said 'theres a tap in the toilet' and went back to their folder shuffling. The food I saw in the wards was not fit to give a dog! Eggs and cabbage mostly. And the stench. Would make you sick to smell it let alone eat. Staff seemed to think they were on another higher level to patients and public. Chaos on wards. Staff walking around with no ID badges, they could be anyone. Security very lacking. No privacy in the wards, your full history is given out loud for all to hear. One lady was asked to give her sexual history. Patient got sick and the nurse tut-tutted and didn't call house keeping for an hour! The stench was unbearable. Wasn't allowed open the window and the heat was like a sauna! Very unhealthy. Father went to try shower one day and there was faeces on the floor. What is going on in this hospital? Way too many admin staff, not enough clinical care staff and those that are there don't seem to care. Some of the staff we saw were looking sicker than the patients. In my opinion, this hospital should be avoided like the plague. Place should be shut down and bulldozed!

I have been dealing with CUH for over a year now and have lost hope and trust in this place. Praying I find the money to go private.

Appointment at 9:40, didn't seen doctor until 1:45. There was only one doctor, disgraceful experience.