Workload far too heavy

I was admitted to the public gynaecology ward of Queen Mary Hospital recently.

From 6.30am to well past 8pm every day, the white-coated staff rushed from bed to bed, checked patients, checked notes, entered new notes, went into surgery, then back to the wards, day after day - an endless round.

I observed one doctor who wore the same pair of trousers the whole week I was there.

Are they heroes or martyrs? Is it really necessary for one of the richest countries in the world to treat its medical staff with so little respect? Since it is in a position to, why can't Hong Kong demonstrate its appreciation so that these dedicated people have time to talk to patients, explain a procedure or a diagnosis, derive some satisfaction from their professional lives and enrichment from their personal lives, rather than becoming automatons who wearily watch the daily influx of yet more admissions from 7am onwards. And how is it that basic necessities such as towels, toilet paper and water mugs are not even provided for the patients? I am truly baffled.

HELEN RAHIM Stanley