MY contention that the dedicated, hard-working people at the patient services end of the NHS tend to be unfairly criticised has been strengthened by a recent experience at Clacton hospital.

I had gone to the hospital for a blood test, and after my sample had been taken, as I was leaving, I tripped and fall.

Within seconds, two nurses were tending me and, having concluded that there were no bones broken, gently helped me to my feet.

They insisted on taking my name and address in case I suffered a delayed adverse reaction to what was a rather traumatic experience. Fortunately, this has not happened, apart from a sore arm and bruising, I am fine.

Those nurses are members of an exemplary team. As we have a very good GP who is keen to keep us alive and kicking for as long as possible - we are both pensioners - we attend the hospital quite often for blood tests, X-rays etc, and cannot recall and occasion when we were dissatisfied with the service we received.

Ruth Wakeling
Trafalgar Road
Clacton