With reference to the article "14 hours in hospital just for a splinter" (The Argus, August 2), it seems to me all articles and correspondence in the Press and on the television regarding the NHS are negative and critical.

I had the misfortune of being rushed to A&E at the Royal Sussex County Hospital on July 25.

I was discharged on July 31, having being diagnosed and treated for a bleeding stomach ulcer.

I passed through A&E, the Peel Ward and the Millennium Wing level 9a. I also had endoscopies under both general and local anaesthetics.

I was just another patient passing through, no special privileges, treated as any other patient would be.

We all know about underfunding, lack of resources, lack of personnel, budget constraint and so on.

While in hospital, I witnessed total commitment, dedication, care, sympathy, empathy and professionalism for all the patients on the various wards from every single member of staff; the cleaners, volunteers, porters, people that serve the refreshments and food, nurses, sisters, doctors, anaesthetists, consultants, and everybody else I came.

For every letter of criticism, there must be thousands of many satisfied, content and relieved patients like myself that were actually overwhelmed with the care and commitment levels that we received.

I do have one complaint though. Why, in the 21st Century, does the NHS still use plasters that pull your hairs out when you take them off?

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those (behind the scenes also) that made my stay so pleasant.

-Mark Goldstein, Jesmond Road, Hove