"A bilateral knee replacement"

Last week, my father, an elderly gentleman of 85 years of age, finally had the opportunity to have both his knees replaced. He had, in recent years, become almost immobile through the pain and eventually was operated on. North Devon District Hospital has a brand new orthopaedics wing (The Jubilee Ward) with state-of-the-art technology and a complement of outstanding staff, consultants and doctors. My father was in and out within 36 hours. I rather think he enjoyed himself as the nurses and carers looking after him seemed to keep him in high spirits with their banter.

He has been home for 72 hours now and is walking around, and I anticipate in a few more days, he will cast off his crutches and be almost back to his old self.

On behalf of his wife, my mother, and myself, I would just like to say a huge thank-you to all the staff who helped to fix up my father and look after him. The NHS is indeed a most wonderful organisation, and we are so very grateful to you all.