Veronica Alberts, social worker, writes by email:
I am a social worker whose privilege it is to render services to the patients of the Rynmed stepdown unit.
In the four years that I have been involved with the unit, I have experienced the effects that excellent nursing care can have on the sick.
Not only do patients receive nursing care, but also rehabilitation by an outstanding team of physiotherapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists.
I became involved with Rynmed, as the medical staff have a special concern for the social circumstances of the patients and want to ensure ongoing care once they are discharged.
I have marvelled time and again at the speedy recovery of their patients.
Those who are dying receive special loving care from the staff.
I am sorry that Rynmed was pictured in such a negative light in your paper and I hope that this letter will highlight the other side of the story.
I do, however, wish to point out that Sister Steup, of Rynmed, was misquoted.
She said that frail, heavy patients need ”four nurses” to move them and not “more force” as written in the paper.
Many grateful relatives have said how they appreciate the care at Rynmed, which more than makes up for the four patients who headed the complaint.
