"Appendix emergency."

I was taken to Burton with severe abdominal pain on July 30, and was quickly scheduled to have my appendix removed in emergency surgery. Without exception, every member of admissions, diagnosis, the surgical and nursing teams and care and support were outstandingly kind, helpful and skilled. It was a serious operation, as the appendix had ruptured, and I was unusual to have reached this situation at the age of 52. Every procedure was explained with clarity and detail, and by the time I reached surgery I was both confident and reassured that I was in the hands of an expert team. The operation was completely successful, and I can only express my complete gratitude to the surgeons and the incredible nursing team in The Burton Clinic. In two days I was ready to go home, but with the sobering thought that in the days before the NHS, this may well have been a terminal case, and 52 the age on my gravestone. As a society, we are quick to complain about public services, but I would like to put on record my total gratitude for my hospital experience, and for the skill and dedication of every member of staff with whom I came into contact.