"Left me feeling very humble and truly blessed."

I recently had Inguinal Hernia surgery at North Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple. I had a follow up consultation with the surgeon Dr Williams to review my progress.

Whenever I go to Barnstaple hospital, however long or short the visit and whatever level the issue is I always have the same thoughts on the way home. I always feel very positive and reassured in my quest to maintain a high level of fitness and good health.

In a few weeks I will reach the first milestone of three score years and ten. After the corks have stopped popping and there are but a few crumbs left of the cake I will embark on the next phase.

I did send a letter and a tin of chocolates to Lundy Ward and asked if they could share my thanks with all concerned in my journey from A&E, through all the relevant departments and back home again to my comfy sofa. Each step of the way was just as all my other experiences have been and every time has left me feeling very humble and truly blessed.

I sometimes hear negative comments from people and do wonder! I have had similar good experiences in Northampton, Milton Keynes and Bideford Hospitals which leave me with the conclusion that the NHS is truly a precious facet of this country and we should all do whatever it takes to keep it so.

From this point we should also applaud the emergency services such as Fire Rescue, Ambulance and Paramedic services, Air Ambulance, Police emergency services and the many other associated support services that make this all too easy to take for granted. We are extremely lucky, I feel extremely lucky and so should we all.