"see above"

What I liked

To the CEO, all Staff and Management of Ashford and St Peters

I fully intended to write a proper letter to your Chief Executive, but I'm going away so this will have to do for the moment.

The details of my relatively minor complaint will be evident from my notes - sufficient to say that I picked up a bug when I was abroad in April.

After a visit to my GP I was whisked into the system for only the second time in my 68yrs.

Over the next few months I met a lot of your staff ; from receptionists to consultants; recovery room nurses and anaesthetists - without exception I was treated with cheerfulness, efficiency and respect. I was kept informed every step of the way, reminded of appointments and even called on the phone, after a procedure, to see if I was feeling Ok.

I am the first to admit being a bit of a coward and a chronic sufferer of "white coat syndrome"- but needn't have worried because you all knew who I was and treated me with more kindness than I deserved.

Whoever says the NHS is flawed should speak to me and thousands like me - I can't be unique and can assure you that those on the front line are thoroughly professional in every way and loyal enough not to join in the debate on pay and conditions with someone like me.

I read recently, on your webpage, about a womon who had spent 2 hours in A and E with 2 young children - she complained that the TV wasn't working and that a nurse didn't rush to clear up when her 3yr old was sick in the toilet !!! If that is the mentality you have to deal with heaven help us all !!!

I am fully recovered now, thanks to all your staff and looking forward to a healthy future under the wing of the good old NHS !!!

I am sure you can indentify all the people I have met during the last few months, so be sure to tell them from me - thank you again !!!