Having agreed to travel to Lewes Victoria Hospital in order to reduce the waiting time for a hernia operation (not a high priority), I arrived at 11am for an operation scheduled for mid-afternoon.

With the usual apprehension, I had got as far as the anaesthetist's room and was thinking it would soon be over when the procedures came to an abrupt halt and I was informed my surgeon had been taken ill at the end of the previous operation (the sight of blood, perhaps?).

In my befuddled state, I wondered if it was April 1. Despite futile efforts to find other surgeons and many apologies, I was sent home with assurances I would not have to wait another three months.

Having resigned myself to another wait, I was enjoying my supper that same evening when the phone rang. Imagine my surprise when I was asked if I could return to the hospital at 7.30am the following day, when a senior consulting surgeon would carry out my operation. How's that for service?

When the NHS receives so much criticism these days, it is refreshing to be able to offer praise instead of brickbats.

-Brian Jackson, Wayland Avenue, Brighton