Alan Milburn, secretary of state for health, presumably has not been a patient in the Royal Sussex Hospital so has not shared the excellent care I received.

On Saturday, December 15, I collapsed in Bear Road, Brighton. From the time the ambulance took me to RSH and another brought me home on Friday, December 21, I felt like a private patient.

If it is necessary to spend some time on a trolley, at least one is not in a freezing tent in Afghanistan.

In some countries in Africa there is just one doctor per million people.

So why all this grumbling about the NHS when we are lucky to have it?

Thank you so much SSN Wheeler with your expert stitching and nurse's intuition and Dr Patel for your very prompt response.

Nursing requires a multiplicity of skills and I had time to observe with admiration the professionalism of the wonderful nurses on Grant Ward.

They have the patience of Job and could not do enough for each patient.

Dr Gordon and his team gave me an MOT and would not let me leave the hospital until they were convinced I was better.

Consultants have heavy caseloads but many manage to combine their awesome responsibility with a very good bedside manner.

I should like to thank the Royal Sussex County Hospital very much, including the kind ancillary staff. Also, the young couple and first-aider who came to help me.

Last, and certainly not least, thanks to my friend Janet Tait, who quite possibly saved my life.

-Carole Irvine, Upper Wellington Road, Brighton