LAST Wednesday I had an appointment at Harwood Medical Centre to check an ankle injury sustained whilst walking.

Having checked that I told the doctor that for the past couple of weeks I had been getting short of breath climbing the stairs and was this down to not exercising.

Within five minutes of checking my chest I was having an ECG and found my heart rate was very low. The next morning I was having tests at Royal Bolton Hospital and was told I would be admitted as I needed a pacemaker. I had the operation Friday morning and was home by teatime.

Forty eight hours earlier I didn't know my heart wasn't working and now it is fine.

With all the bad publicity the NHS is getting I felt it only right to praise the NHS for the excellent service I received.

The doctors, nurses and consultants explained everything clearly and looked after me tremendously well.

So thank you Royal Bolton Hospital and Harwood Medical Centre. When I needed treatment the NHS did not let me down.

Tony Lang

Bolton