"Urology team - dedicated staff, excellent care."

I had an aggressive bladder cancer and was in for a radical cystectomy and reconstruction with conduit and stoma. The surgery was a complete success. Post op I suffered serious complications and ended up staying in Hopkins Ward for five weeks.

I have the highest regard for all the staff that I met be they nurses, nursing assistants, cleaners, junior doctors, phlebotomists, x-ray intervention, physio-terroristi as I call them and consultants. Without their care and timely intervention I would not be writing this.

People complain about the NHS, the waiting times, the nonsense spouted by the main political parties but let me say this: if I have a minor ailment I go to a NHS pharmacist who helps me. If I have a more serious problem, my NHS GP fixes me. When I needed life saving treatment, the NHS came for me and sorted me out. Yes, admin can be haphazard and modern technology will fix that but it works at the sharp end.

Thank you for saving my life twice.