"Positive experiences of the NHS and thoughts on improvements"

I was for 4 years Chairman of the Trust which included Penrith Community Hospital, and for some years Vice-Chairman of the League of Friends. With age I have found myself on a number of occasions a patient at the hospital, and have always found it proficient, welcoming and admired the dedication of staff. With a recent episode I had no reason to change my views. Indeed, all my experiences with the NHS, including a Manchester teaching hospital, have been positive and professionally more than satisfactory. That is not to say that the NHS cannot be improved: it can and dramatically. I have presented considered views/papers on a number of occasions but I have often felt that the NHS does not employ quality decision makers in its highest echelons! At the local level and for real emergencies it responds well despite its organisational structure.