A FEW days ago I was unexpectedly taken ill and I'd like all those Victor Meldrew whingers who moan about the NHS to know of my experience.

A few minutes after a telephone call my GP arrived at my house and ten minutes later the ambulance took me to the Royal United Hospital, Bath.

I received treatment on the journey by the very competent and courteous ambulance crew.

As soon as I arrived at the hospital I was seen by a doctor and 15 minutes later was taken to the A & E ward where I immediately underwent various tests.

These tests continued until later when I was admitted to a medical ward. For the next 18 hours I was constantly monitored, examined and tested.

The care, the dedication and thoroughness of the medical staff, doctors and nurses could not have been better.

The cheerfulness, the courtesy, the willingness by all the staff to help with any request filled me full of admiration.

So stop moaning, there area a lot more good stories about the NHS than the bad ones that constantly make screaming banner headlines in the media.

The staff in the NHS deserve our thanks and support for their brilliant and dedicated service to their patients.

By the way, I'm now 100 per cent OK.

ERIC MANDEL

Sherston