"The NHS offered me excellent care when I..."

What I liked

All the NHS staff who helped me - from the NHS Direct operator, to the ambulance personnel, to doctors, nurses and technicians at the hospital - treated me with great care and consideration.

When I telephoned Kings College Hospital subsequently, to ask to speak to the doctor who helped me, she rang back within a couple of hours and took time to talk through my illness and treatment, and to give further advice. Although it was obvious she was tired on the night I was admitted to A & E (I was there between 11pm and 3am) she was compassionate and professional: I cannot praise her highly enough.

I was in a considerable amount of pain on arrival at the hospital and it helped greatly that there was quickly a room available (with a private toilet).

What could be improved

It is worrying that these high standards, and the collegiate atmosphere that seemed to exist among a busy staff, will be threatened by planned cuts to the NHS. I do not believe that the quality of care will be improved by "efficiency savings" - as cuts are often euphemistically referred to.