On Tuesday, I had an appointment with my GP. He was a locum who I had never met before.

Going through my notes, he was somewhat concerned that I had discharged myself from the emergency unit a few weeks earlier.

I honestly didn't feel ill and there were so many people there who obviously required treatment more urgently than I.

However, the new GP wanted me to go to Great Western Hospital for a check out because he thought discharging myself was wrong.

So he immediately sent me up there again after clearing it with the hospital. Don't knock it, folks! I was received and treated wonderfully.

After a thorough examination, I saw a young doctor. Wow they really do look young when you are my age, 83. I was given a thorough going over. blood pressure, etc, samples and whatever.

No, don't any of you ever knock these people in my presence. The way I was treated was brilliant, by both the nurses, the receptionist, and the doctor himself.

It's only when you look at it from a different perspective you realise how difficult and hard the work is. Not only physically, but mentally as well.

These people suffer things we, the public never do, It must be very depressing some of the time.

But - and here is the root of it - they, all of them, keep on doing it day after day. The young doctor was fantastic, and he was also extremely pleasant and helpful.

These people really are something special. So don't let us quibble about pay rises. Could any of you do this sort of work day in day out.? In my opinion,these people are wonderful.

So don't knock the NHS. It's an institution and should be cared for.

Well, that's my opinion. Hope a few of you will agree. Kindest regards to all our NHS staff.

David Collins,

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