Dear Editor, On Monday, June 8th, I was rushed to Hereford County Hospital for emergency surgery. The procedure was carried out without delay, and I was back home, albeit in a lot of pain, by Thursday, June 11th.

The care, competence, courtesy and cleanliness were beyond reproach, the staff were terrific, and I thank them all for saving my life. It cost me nothing and it was there when I needed it.

We Brits should count our blessings, not concentrate on the Health Service's imperfections.

John Stanford, Brampton Abbotts