THERE are clearly financial and other problems in many of our NHS trust hospitals and criticisms elsewhere about healthcare provision and waiting lists etc.

However, I would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at both the Culverhay and the Chipping Surgeries in Wotton-under-Edge for their continuing excellent care.

My 92-year-old mother and I were distinctly unwell for long periods before Christmas, but following their support, timely diagnoses and subsequent treatments, we have, fortunately, both made near full recoveries.

I would similarly like to take the opportunity to mention the staff at Lloyds chemist in Wotton.

I have in the past been occasionally exasperated at the service received, but I have come to realise that they work in very cramped, non-ideal conditions and issues raised with them are often beyond their control.

Short waits and patience whilst we wait for our medicines to be dispensed are essential to ensure that they are prescribed safely.

We should also perhaps remember that meeting the understandable and exacting expectations of sick people, nine hours a day, six days a week, cannot be easy.

During my mother’s illness, on one occasion, they waited after closing time 'til I arrived to pick up a late-issued prescription and on another, when closed due to ‘plumbing’ problems, came to the front door with my prescription.

So, a big thank you to the staff at Lloyds as well.

In a small town like ours, we are extremely fortunate and grateful to have such dedicated and professional health care professionals and dispensing services.

Ken Tucker

The Old Nursery

Wotton-under-Edge