BAD news often makes good copy these days, particularly when “defenceless” services like the NHS are concerned.

They have no one to call back against disgruntled broadsides from dissatisfied people. However, I would wish to redress the mudslinging with some praise.

I have seen in my career as an occupational therapist more hospital wards than I can recall and at last I am on the receiving end of the service – in this case Arrow Ward (the cardiology/lung care facility) at County Hospital.

I was admitted on October 10 and within 36 hours or so a diagnosis had been made and treatment got underway thereafter.

The facilities and treatment have left me slack-jawed with astonishment. No detail has been too much to bother with. All my questions and concerns have been addressed and basically nothing is too much trouble. The staff are all working very hard and always with unstinting good humour and with a depth of compassion and patience that outreaches any superlatives.

I have every confidence in the staff here and really do trust them with my life, utterly and completely.

For the worry warts who spout complaints and whinge about what a sorry state the health service is in, I can only say: you don’t know you are born. In other countries a child dies every three seconds for lack of simple health care. Get down on your knees and give thanks for what you have got in Hereford County Hospital.

MICHAEL W GARDNER,

Eardisland, Leominster.