"A HUGE thank you"

A HUGE thank you. You guys are what really works about the NHS and deserve all the credit despite underfunding and overwhelming patient numbers and lack of widee NHS infrastructure.

Yesterday afternoon my back went. I fractured two vertebrae as a teenager and last year I slipped a disc. It goes once or twice a year. The trick is to get on top of the pain fast so I dont lose mobility, otherwise it's a long process of doctors, xrays, mris and physios (expensive).

It being a sunday, and the lack of an out of hours gp number to call, we're stuck with 111. So I call them at 3:50pm (trying to do the right thing avoiding am ambulance, or taxi if I can get one on a Sunday, to A and E as I'm the one who drives - A and E waiting times according to NHS website 4.5hrs).

Their nurse calls me back from Tyneside at 4:40pm (okay so their target is to transfer you directly or get a callback within an hour). She agrees I need to speak to a GP so 'Devon Doctors' will call me back within an hour (that's their target). Still in agony, losing mobility and tingling in my toes - this is normal for me.

6:30am Devon doctors finally call, I decide it would actually be quicker, rather than them sending someone out to me as I am no longer able to get to them to wait until GP opens. Finally get to sleep.

9:30am Call GP surgery, GP calls me back at 10am writes prescription for diazepam and oromorph, partner collects prescription and by 11am I have taken initial dose and am mobile again (apart from not being able to put my socks on). Life continues - all in the space of an hour - an incredible GP service!

Here's hoping you get the funding an recognition you deserve and the rest of the NHS gets the support it needs to be as good.