Many of the letters on this page focus on the negative. Just to counterbalance that, I would like to share some reflections on my recent visit to the NHS hospital in Reddich.

I have just returned home after eight days at the Alex. As an active man of 50, I was shocked to find that I had some heart problems which worsened and necessitated a fairly quick admission to the hospital. I want to commend the quality of my GPs in Bromsgrove (Kidderminster Road) in going beyond the call of duty time and time again to look after my condition. Frankly, I felt that I was getting an excellent service from people who cared.

On entry to the hospital, it was clear that the day to day work was frenetic and highly pressurised. However, at all times, the staff kept their humour and treated all patients with dignity. How the doctors and nursing staff keep up their pace of work is a mystery to me?

Sometimes the shifts are overly long, but the commitment never wavered. One minute dealing with overdose cases, the next senility and the next a heart condition - all were treated well.

In this time of NHS criticism, it is important to value what we have got. I lived in the US for seven years and know where I would rather be treated. The food is far better there though!

Professor Peter Frost

Bromsgrove

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