I went in here with my cousin when he was in a pretty bad way and the staff were great. It was hectic and I'm sure there was a lot of pressure on them, as with any hospital, but they were always professional and took good care of him. You can always complain about the Irish healthcare system, but the staff do a great job.

Over the last few years , I've unfortunately needed to go to St. Columcilles A&E department, on a few occasions.
I've been suffering with bad mental health (mainly depression) since I was 13 years old. I've had to go to their A&E three times for attempted suicide and self harm.

In Autumn 2010, (I was 18 years old) It was my worst case. It's hard to remember every detail, but what I do ...makes my stomach sink.
Besides being clincally depressed, I'd also recently lost my father to cancer as well as a long term boyfriend. You can imagine my thoughts/feelings.
I arrived in St. Colmcilles after injesting a cocktail of painkillers, sleeping tablets and alchohol.

My mother brought me to A&E , where we were asked to wait. I'm a shy, polite person so regardless of what was happening, I waited my turn.
After about 45 mins I felt like i was going to get sick so slowly got up and looked for the toilets. After walking a few steps i suddenly collapsed to the floor and my vision went black. My head was spinning and i couldnt move or see. The staff managed to get me into a wheelchair and in a bed straight away. I thought i was going to die there and then. An experience I wish on no one. I finally got sick and slowly recovered in the hospital bed.

After a few hours I was told to go home. I was living at home with just my mom at the time. She was devastated and angry all at the same time. She told them i desperately needed help and that she also had to go work that day. It didnt bother any of the staff in the slightest.
I was sent home even more upset and suicidal than to begin with.

Every time I have to go to St. Columcilles , the staff look down on me. I feel like i'm constantly being judged .One nurse made disgusted faces while cleaning my cuts The ''psychology'' department told me they couldnt help me and just sent me home. As well as a rude and condescending attitude.

Since then I've told a few people about my experience. These people are going through similar situations as me and were appalled by the lack of support and service in this hospital. They had never been to St. Columcilles A&E but had received amazing support and services from other hospitals in Dublin.

Anytime i'm feeling suicidal, A&E is the last place I feel safe going to. This is not what Irelands healthcare should be doing to patients in this situation.

Next time, i'll have to go to St. Vincents which is a much further distance to me, Longer journies don't exactly help in A&E situations

Please anyone who is suffering with a mental illness or suicidal thoughts, Go to a hospital that has a psychiatry department or any hospital bar loughlinstown.

I never new a hospital could care so little. It really is a shame.

I have had quite a bit of experience with St. Columcilles involving a loved one, both in A&E, the wards and in intensive care. What an eye opener ... a lot of myths got dispelled. The place has staff which - for the most part - border on saints. I found throughout that, no matter how busy they were, they always had time for me and my questions - if they had any time at all, which most of time they hadn't.

Staff are under enormous pressure in St. Columcilles on a constant basis. They sure work for their pay! They also manage to be very nice, despite being under such pressure.

I would say don't judge anything by what a cock up the HSE itself is. Believe me, whatever waste there is isn't in evidence here. I found a wonderful community atmosphere in the place, and that counts for an awful lot. They don't treat people as numbers but rather as people.

Parking is free, vending machines ( externally run ) are a rip off but the canteen food is really good and reasonably priced. The staff there are extremely friendly too. I found all doctors - from junior to senior - willing to give family time and space to ask questions, and they answered all questions in detail.

When you are up a creek with a loved one, believe me, it's a comfort to bring them somewhere like this. I really can't fault the place, and will be eternally grateful to the good people there.