I AM writing to you to praise the NHS in general and Fairfield Hospital and Tottington Health Centre in particular.

Unfortunately, the NHS all too often receives negative publicity for its failings but rarely gets the praise it deserves for its achievements. From our personal experience my family are very grateful for the high standard of medical care available in our area.

My father has long been a patient at Tottington Health Centre and has always received the very best treatment from his doctor and the staff there. Regrettably he has had to be admitted to Fairfield A&E several times recently and always the speed of response from the ambulance service has been excellent and the care and treatment on arrival at the hospital has been first class. He was a patient in the coronary care unit for 10 days over the Christmas period and he could not have been looked after any better.

The staff went about their jobs in a very professional manner but it was the fact that they so obviously cared about their patients and the pride in their jobs that was so impressive. Despite working extremely long hours over the Christmas period nothing was too much trouble for them and they did their very best to keep their patients’ festive spirits up. Carol singers visited the hospital and even Santa called by.

I’m sure the vast majority of patients have had similar positive experiences and I really do feel that we have every reason to be proud of the NHS in the Bury area.

Andy Walmsley Plantation View Bury