"Wonderful staff at Wycombe Hospital"

I've never felt moved to write to the NHS before, but after a visit today to Wycombe Hospital, I felt I just had to let you know what a wonderful collection of staff you have working there.

After being recently diagnosed with pre-cancerous cervical cells I was sent a letter informing me that I had to go to Wycombe hospital for a colposcopy. I was a bit annoyed because I live in Aylesbury and Wycombe hospital is 13 miles away from my home, but now I'm glad I was sent there.

I couldn't sleep last night through worrying about the procedure and I must admit I had a little cry in the car park when I arrived this morning. I was early because I'd been warned that car parking is a problem but I managed to find a space and decided to get a coffee.

It might have been the look of fear on my face or the fact that I was wandering around in a daze, but everyone I met was so kind. I want to say a big thank you to the polite, friendly man who served me in the hospital coffee shop to his boss who asked me if I was having a good day; to the lovely volunteer lady on the 2nd floor outpatients who kindly directed me to the Gynaecology outpatients department, as she saw I was lost; to the receptionist who smiled and showed me where to wait; to the two nurses and the consultant in the colposcopy ward who made me feel at ease and comfortable even though I was embarrassed and terrified. For you this is your work, your every day routine, but believe me, for the patients that walk through the hospital doors each smile, each pleasantry, each display of compassion makes a huge impression on us. Thank you so much.