On Tuesday, November 1, I took a 98-year-old friend, who is deaf and unable to walk unaided, to an out-patient appointment at the Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH).

I can't manage a wheelchair on my own and thought our progress would be slow and awkward and that I would probably hold people up trying to manoeuvre a wheelchair in a crowded area.

I was concerned this would be a difficult morning and we were apprehensive. But nothing could have been further from reality.

From start to finish, we were welcomed and made to feel secure, with smiling faces and helping hands all the way.

We had almost no wait and my friend soon met the consultant, Dr Hurst, who was kind and reassuring.

I have written to thank those on duty that morning. Their kindness, efficiency, endless patience and good humour made it a pleasant experience - and quite different from what I imagined.

The Health Service and those who work in it are too often given a bad press and it's high time they were given praise where it is due.

After all, what we experienced could not have been a one-off. All the other patients around us were equally well looked after.

Sincere thanks to everyone at RSCH outpatients.

-JCV Townsend, Hove