I AM a British citizen currently living in France and, like everyone, we constantly hear bad reports about the state of the health service in the UK. I would like to relate my experience recently when my wife and I were in Ross-on-Wye visiting friends.

On the evening of April 24 I became ill and and a paramedic was called. The paramedic arrived promptly, assessed my situation quickly and took immediate steps to ease my discomfort.

The paramedic, whose name we did not get, called for an ambulance which arrived within 30 minutes. The crew consisted of a young lady called Kayleigh and a young man called Ashley.

I was made comfortable for the journey to Hereford County Hospital and the ambulance crew were excellent – Ashley had only been in the job for four weeks.

On arrival at the hospital, around midnight, I received prompt attention from doctors and nurses in the A & E unit and it was agreed that I should remain in hospital overnight.

My situation improved the next morning and I was moved into the clinical assessment unit where I stayed until being released at around 3pm.

We always seem to hear negative reports about hospitals and the purpose of this letter is to thank everyone who was involved and for the excellent help, support and treatment I received at your local hospital and from the ambulance service and paramedic.

I hope people know that they have a precious resource in their community.

JOHN A GRIMSON Cote D’Armor, France