CRITICISMS of the NHS have been legion for years and continue at the moment with what appears to be renewed vigour. These criticisms seem to centre around waiting times both for treatments and in A & E.

Whilst totally unqualified to offer anything but a personal opinion, my feeling is that these failures are attributable to management failures and poor leadership.

What is rarely commented on is the quality of care provided by the troops on the ground in the NHS. Having recently suffered a heart attack I have been at the mercy of the NHS for the past month and I have been staggered by the fantastic quality of treatment I have received. Highly skilled and incredibly competent physicians and surgeons, caring and committed nursing staff and cheerful and friendly support staff. You are all amazing, I thank you most humbly and commend you to everyone tempted to denigrate the service you provide.

Peter Kenyon

Bolton