I HAVE recently spent a few days on Ward 18 of the Alexandra Hospital and would like to pay tribute to the excellent care I received.

No-one looks forward to a stay in hospital and everyone feels apprehensive about undergoing an operation but this was made so much easier to cope with by the friendly vigilance and attention to detail of every member of staff.

I soon felt I was amongst friends. The level of co-operation was evident and resulted in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere in which to recover.

The media throws so much mud at the standards of health care I felt some record should be made of the picture from a patient's point of view.

We are indeed lucky in Redditch. My grateful thanks to everyone involved with Ward 18.

Gerald Hine

Crabbs Cross